Exercise-Based Pain Interventions for People with Dementia Using a Biopsychosocial-Environmental (BPSE) Model

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain and dementia-related neurodegeneration interact across biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors.
• These interacting factors negatively impact function and quality of life in people living with dementia (PLWD).
• Existing research highlights the complex interplay between OA pain and dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Biopsychosocial-Environmental (BPSE) model for guiding exercise interventions.
• To address knee OA pain in people living with dementia (PLWD).
• To synthesize literature on OA pain, dementia, and exercise, and demonstrate the BPSE model's clinical utility.

Main Methods:

• Literature synthesis on biological, psychological, social, and environmental aspects of knee OA pain in PLWD.
• Review of neurodegeneration in PLWD and exercise implications.
• Demonstration of the BPSE model for designing tailored exercise interventions.

Main Results:

• Knee OA pain and dementia interact through multiple interconnected factors.
• These interactions exacerbate functional limitations and reduce quality of life.
• The BPSE model offers a framework to address these complex interactions.

Conclusions:

• The BPSE model provides a structured approach to tailor exercise interventions for PLWD with knee OA.
• Applying the BPSE model can potentially improve pain management, mobility, and quality of life.
• This model can inform future chronic disease management strategies for PLWD.