Physical Activity, Pain, And Quality of Life in the Older Adults: A Rural-Urban Comparison in Turkey

This study aimed to compare physical activity levels, pain characteristics, and quality of life among older adults living in rural and urban areas of Turkey.

This cross-sectional study included 250 older adults (50 rural and 200 urban). Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Form, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Older Adults Module. Chronic pain was defined as pain lasting at least 3 months based on self-report. Group comparisons were conducted using independent samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests according to data distribution, and adjusted regression analyses were performed to control for potential confounders.

Physical activity levels did not differ significantly between rural and urban participants (p > .05). Urban participants reported higher pain scores (p < .05), whereas chronic pain prevalence was higher in the rural group. Significant differences were observed in selected World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Older Adults Module domains, with rural participants reporting higher scores in sensory abilities, death and dying, and intimacy (p < .05). Other domains did not show significant differences.

The findings indicate that rural-urban differences in older adults are evident in pain and certain quality of life domains, whereas physical activity levels appear comparable. These results should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships. Cultural, social, and health care-related factors specific to Turkey may contribute to these differences. Future studies using longitudinal designs and more balanced samples are needed to better understand these relationships.