Pain Management Strategies for Older Adults
Summary
Effective pain management in older adults requires an integrated approach that balances pharmacological therapies, nonpharmacological modalities and personalised self-management. Age-related changes in drug metabolism and the prevalence of comorbidities heighten the risk of adverse events, driving guidelines towards minimising polypharmacy and favouring active interventions. Pharmacological strategies range from judicious use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen to carefully monitored opioid regimens where benefits outweigh risks. Nonpharmacological options encompass physiotherapy, supervised exercise and cognitive-behavioural techniques to enhance mobility, reduce functional decline and bolster psychological resilience. Multidisciplinary care teams, including physicians, pharmacists, physiotherapists and psychologists, collaborate to tailor interventions according to frailty status, pain aetiology (such as osteoarthritis or neuropathic pain) and patient preferences. Patient education and self-efficacy programmes empower older adults to engage in regular movement, appropriate use of assistive devices and adaptive coping strategies. Emerging digital technologies, such as tele-rehabilitation and remote pain monitoring, offer additional avenues for extending care into the community. Globally, these combined strategies aim to preserve independence, reduce healthcare utilisation and improve quality of life among ageing populations.
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Pain Management Strategies for Older Adults publication trend
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Technical terms
Nonpharmacological intervention: A therapy that does not involve medications, such as exercise, thermotherapy, cognitive techniques or manual therapies.
Frailty: A clinical syndrome in older adults marked by diminished strength, endurance and physiological reserve, increasing vulnerability to adverse health outcomes.
Neuropathic pain: Pain arising from damage or dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system, often described as burning or shooting in nature.
Polypharmacy: The concurrent use of multiple medications, which can raise the likelihood of drug–drug interactions and adverse effects in older patients.
References
- The use of nonpharmacological interventions for chronic pain treatment in community-dwelling older adults with a certified need for care. BMC Geriatrics (2024).
- Managing Non-Cancer Chronic Pain in Frail Older Adults: A Pilot Study Based on a Multidisciplinary Approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023).
- Neuromuscular Exercise for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Older People: A Randomized Clinical Trial. British Journal of General Practice (2020).
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