Pain, Quality of Life and Physical Functioning in Older Adults
Murphy, Clare
Honours
2022
Strong, Jessica
Bachelor of Arts
Faculty of Arts. Honours in Psychology.
Psychology
University of Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, PE
Due to the growing population of older adults, research on their pain, quality of life (QoL) and physical functioning in this demographic is increasingly important. Research indicates older adults who experience chronic pain, have decreased physical functioning, which could overall lead to a decrease in quality of life. Research shows strong levels of complicated relationships between and among pain, QoL and physical functioning. The current study recruited 50 community-dwelling older adults in Show moreDue to the growing population of older adults, research on their pain, quality of life (QoL) and physical functioning in this demographic is increasingly important. Research indicates older adults who experience chronic pain, have decreased physical functioning, which could overall lead to a decrease in quality of life. Research shows strong levels of complicated relationships between and among pain, QoL and physical functioning. The current study recruited 50 community-dwelling older adults in Prince Edward Island (Mean age = 72.3) to participate in this study. Of the 50 participants, 44 disclosed their gender and ethnicity; most were female (31), and all that reported their race were white. Data on pain, QoL, and mood were gathered via questionnaires, data on physical functioning was gathered via hand grip strength test and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Checklist and a cognition screen was completed as well. With this data the goal was to see the impact QoL and pain have on physical functioning in older adults. Analyses found that age was a significant predictor of right handgrip strength, F(1,15) = 6.32, p = 0.025, as well as left handgrip strength, F(1,15) = 6.41, p = 0.023, both accounting for 30% of the variance in grip strength. A hierarchical linear regression with age, pain, QoL and cognition, significantly predicted instrumental activities of daily living (physical functioning), F(4,15) = , p = 0.029. Although all models were significant, there was no significant change when adding predictors, indicating no predictors were more significant than age alone. This indicates that age is a significant predictor of physical functioning. Although further research is needed, the results also suggested that QoL may impact physical functioning in older adults. Show less
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