Correlation of endogenous pain modulation function with physical activity in elders having chronic pain

Abstract

Context: Chronic pain is a major predicament of the elderly population and lacks appropriate treatment. In normal healthy individuals, physical activity (PA) shows an effect on endogenous pain modulation (EPM) function by producing central opioids and producing exercise-induced analgesia. Aims: This study aimed to determine a correlation between EPM function and PA of the elderly having chronic pain. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of 45 elderly individuals who were between 60 and 80 years of age, suffering from chronic pain. The EPM function was tested using conditioned pain modulation test and PA levels were obtained using Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS). In addition, we collected demographic details, duration of pain, and site of pain from the study population. Descriptive statistics was depicted in terms of frequency. Categorical variables were indicated as the mean and standard error of mean. The Spearman's rank correlation (r) test was used to find the correlation between conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and YPAS score. Results: A positive moderate correlation was found between EPM function and PA of elderly having chronic pain (r = 0.05; P = 0.0002). Analysis of EPM function based on the gender of the study population showed that both females (22.54 ± 23.92) and males (6.24 ± 29.19) had similar EPM function values. YPAS score was found as a significant predictor of CPM (P = 0.0003). Conclusion: There is a positive moderate correlation between EPM function and PA levels of elderly having chronic pain.