CHRONIC PAIN’S PAINFUL IMPACT ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING

Abstract

Abstract One in five Americans adults report experiencing chronic pain and stated it has negatively impacted their lives by limiting their engagement in activities. The magnitude of pain experienced is more severe in older adults, which may be due to age-related differences in pain perception pathways leaving older adults more vulnerable to the negative impact of pain. The most common type of chronic pain experienced by older adults involves musculoskeletal disorders, which is consistent with age-related declines muscle strength and mass. Declines in handgrip strength is associated with chronic pain perception and poor cognitive functioning. Older adults who experience severe chronic pain have worse working memory and attention. The experience of chronic pain is attentionally demanding on cognitive processes making it difficult for older adults to draw their attention away from pain perception during cognitively demanding tasks. Chronic pain is also associated with accelerated decline in cognition, dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease pathogenesis. As a GSA policy intern, I represented GSA in the Protecting Access to Pain Relief Coalition to explore policy initiatives and recommendations in relation to chronic pain experienced by older adults. Research on chronic pains’ impact on cognitive and physical function is often conducted in isolation. However, they seldom occur in isolation during real-world tasks. Therefore, research on tasks that involve simultaneous physical and cognitive functioning in relation to chronic pain is imperative. In addition, handgrip strength should be considered as a useful cost-effective screening tool as a measure for cognitive decline in older adults with chronic pain.