Chronic Pain Management Strategies in Older Adults
Summary
Chronic pain in older adults presents a multifaceted challenge that spans physical, psychological and social domains. Prevalence rises with age, with many individuals experiencing back, joint or widespread musculoskeletal discomfort that limits activities of daily living and diminishes quality of life. Management strategies have shifted from a predominantly pharmacological approach to an integrated biopsychosocial model, combining medication optimisation, targeted physical therapies, psychological support and lifestyle modification. Non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise therapy, cognitive behavioural techniques and complementary approaches are now central, aiming to improve function, reduce dependency on analgesics and enhance wellbeing. Preventive measures, including vigorous activity and cultural engagement, have shown promise in lowering the risk of pain onset. However, barriers such as ageism, negative beliefs about ageing and competing comorbidities often impede care-seeking and adherence. Optimally, individualised care pathways involve interdisciplinary teams—physiotherapists, geriatricians, psychologists and social workers—collaborating to tailor interventions that address the unique needs and goals of each older person.
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Chronic Pain Management Strategies in Older Adults publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in chronic pain management strategies in older adults across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Biopsychosocial model: An approach that considers biological, psychological and social factors in the assessment and management of pain.
Exercise therapy: Supervised, structured physical activity programmes designed to enhance musculoskeletal strength, flexibility and endurance.
Nonrestorative sleep: Sleep that fails to leave an individual feeling refreshed, often contributing to heightened pain sensitivity.
Ageism: Prejudice or discrimination against individuals based on their age, which can influence healthcare attitudes and access.
References
- Impairment in the activities of daily living in older adults with and without osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and chronic back pain: a secondary analysis of population-based health survey data. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2016).
- Ageism, negative attitudes, and competing co-morbidities – why older adults may not seek care for restricting back pain: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatrics (2015).
- Exercise therapy for bone and muscle health: an overview of systematic reviews. BMC Medicine (2012).
- Physical and Psychosocial Factors in the Prevention of Chronic Pain in Older Age. Journal of Pain (2018).
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