The Effect of a Peer-Led Non-Pharmacological Pain-Management Program on Chronic Pain Intensity and Pain-Related...

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability among the elderly, characterized by chronic pain and functional limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a peer-led, non-pharmacological pain management program on pain-related self-efficacy and chronic pain severity in older adults with osteoarthritis.

A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2020 in two healthcare centers in Mashhad, Iran. Sixty elderly individuals with chronic osteoarthritis were assigned to intervention (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. The intervention group received four 90-minute peer-led training sessions over two weeks, facilitated by trained elderly peers under the researcher's supervision. Pain intensity and pain-related self-efficacy were measured using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire at baseline and at 8-week follow-up after completion of the intervention. Data analysis was performed using paired and independent t-test in SPSS version 21. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Two months after the intervention, between-group comparison showed that there is a statistically significant difference in terms of pain-related self-efficacy (P<0.001). Two months after the intervention, between-group comparison in terms of total pain score (P<0.001) and the scores of its dimensions including sensory-discriminative (P=0.009) and affective (P<0.001) showed a statistically significant difference.

The peer-led pain management program effectively reduces pain and enhances self-efficacy in elderly individuals with osteoarthritis in the intervention group. Implementing such programs, which promote mental control and social engagement, is recommended for improved outcomes.