Abstract
Background: 80% of nursing home residents have reported chronic pain, which is often accepted by older adults as part of aging. Peer support models are being used to help individuals manage their chronic conditions and overcome the challenges of limited healthcare resources. The aims of this study were: (i) to examine the effectiveness of a 12 week peer-led pain management program (PAP) for nursing home residents and (ii) to evaluate their experiences. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) was used. The 12 week pain management program was provided for the experimental group. Outcomes were measured at three time points. The participants’ satisfaction and acceptance were evaluated by a semi-structured interview after the program was completed. Results: Pain self-efficacy, pain intensity, pain interference, pain knowledge, and depression levels improved after the completion of the 12 week peer-led PAP. The pain-intensity level reported at week 12 was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Semi-structured interviews showed that the nursing home residents were satisfied with the pain education that they received. Conclusions: The 12 week peer-led PAP appeared to improve the pain-related and psychological outcome measures in nursing home residents, and the feedback on the peer-led PAP from the nursing home residents was positive.
Highlights
Chronic non-cancer pain is common among older adults, with approximately 50% of community-dwelling older adults [1] and up to 80% of nursing home residents reporting pain [2].Chronic pain is associated with various physical and psychological incapacities [1,2,3]
peer volunteers (PVs) to lead the pain education in the experimental group were recruited from an institute hosted by a local university in Hong Kong
Aged > 55 years; Scored > 6 in the Abbreviated Mental Test, indicating that they had the mental/cognitive capacity to serve as elderly peer volunteers; Be willing to attend training workshops and biweekly meetings with the research team for case reviews, discussions, and to reinforce strategies on pain management education; Pass an exit test showing their ability to demonstrate various non-pharmacological practices and use the teaching manual; Be willing to lead the pain management program (PAP) in a nursing home
Summary
Chronic non-cancer pain is common among older adults, with approximately 50% of community-dwelling older adults [1] and up to 80% of nursing home residents reporting pain [2].Chronic pain is associated with various physical and psychological incapacities [1,2,3]. Public Health 2020, 17, 4090; doi:10.3390/ijerph17114090 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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