Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
07:28
A Protocol of Manual Tests to Measure Sensation and Pain in Humans
Published on: December 19, 2016
21.6K
Association Between Muscle Metrics and Pressure Pain Sensitivity in Older Adults
Jashandeep Singh1, Sidhiprada Mohapatra1, Girish Nandakumar1
1Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, India.
Sage Open Aging
|December 19, 2025
Summary
Older adults with greater muscle mass and strength experience less pain sensitivity. This suggests that improving muscle health could be a key strategy for managing pain in aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pain Research
- Musculoskeletal Health
Background:
- Pain perception in older adults is influenced by physiological factors, including muscle health.
- Sarcopenia is linked to increased pain sensitivity, but specific relationships between muscle mass, strength, and pain sensitivity are underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine associations between skeletal muscle mass, skeletal muscle index (SMI), handgrip strength (HGS), and pressure pain threshold and tolerance in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 47 older adults (mean age 69.4 years) in long-term care.
- Measured pressure pain threshold and tolerance using algometry.
- Assessed muscle metrics (skeletal muscle mass, SMI, HGS) and performed multiple linear regression, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- All muscle metrics positively correlated with pain threshold and tolerance.
- Higher skeletal muscle mass and handgrip strength were the strongest predictors of greater pressure pain tolerance.
- Associations remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, comorbidities, and analgesic use.
Conclusions:
- Increased skeletal muscle mass and strength are independently linked to reduced pain sensitivity in older adults.
- Muscle health emerges as a potentially modifiable factor for pain management in the elderly.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pulse amplitude and quality
Pulse amplitude is a crucial indicator of cardiac health because it provides valuable insights into the strength of left ventricular contractions and the overall uniformity of blood circulation within the vasculature. The strength of the pulse is directly related to the force with which the heart contracts and the volume of blood being pumped.
A weak or absent pulse may indicate reduced cardiac output or poor left ventricular contraction, which can be signs of cardiovascular dysfunction or...
A weak or absent pulse may indicate reduced cardiac output or poor left ventricular contraction, which can be signs of cardiovascular dysfunction or...
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...