Outcome Measures to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Pain Management in Older Adults With Cancer

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (0) ◽  
pp. 27-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Miaskowski
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 237796081987425
Author(s):  
Ampicha Nawai

Chronic pain is a significant problem for older adults. The effect of chronic pain on older people’s quality of life needs to be described and identified. For a decade, the Roy Adaptation Model has been used extensively to explain nursing phenomena and guide nursing research in several settings with several populations. The objective of this study was to use the Roy Adaptation Model to describe chronic pain and present a systematic scoping review of the literature about the middle-range theory of chronic pain among older adults. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses model guided a scoping review search method. A literature search was undertaken using MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Ovid, and ProQuest. The search terms were “chronic pain,” “pain management,” “older adult,” “Roy Adaptation Model,” and “a scope review.” The search included articles written in English published for the period of 2004–2017. All articles were synthesized using concepts of Roy’s Adaptation Model. Twenty-two studies were considered for the present review. Twenty-one articles were reports of quantitative studies, and one was a report of a qualitative study. Two outcome measures were found in this systematic scoping review. The primary outcomes reported in all articles were the reduction of pain due to interventions and an increase in coping with chronic pain. The secondary outcome measures reported in all studies were the improvement of physical function, quality of life, sleep disturbance, spiritual well-being, and psychological health related to pain management interventions among older adults. Many interventions of all studies reported improvement in chronic pain management among older adults. However, to improve chronic pain management, nurses need to understand about nursing theories, the context which instruments work, and develop empirical instruments based on the conceptual model.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ersek ◽  
Nayak Polissar ◽  
Anna Du Pen ◽  
Anita Jablonski ◽  
Keela Herr ◽  
...  

Background Unrelieved pain among nursing home (NH) residents is a well-documented problem. Attempts have been made to enhance pain management for older adults, including those in NHs. Several evidence-based clinical guidelines have been published to assist providers in assessing and managing acute and chronic pain in older adults. Despite the proliferation and dissemination of these practice guidelines, research has shown that intensive systems-level implementation strategies are necessary to change clinical practice and patient outcomes within a health-care setting. One promising approach is the embedding of guidelines into explicit protocols and algorithms to enhance decision making. Purpose The goal of the article is to describe several issues that arose in the design and conduct of a study that compared the effectiveness of pain management algorithms coupled with a comprehensive adoption program versus the effectiveness of education alone in improving evidence-based pain assessment and management practices, decreasing pain and depressive symptoms, and enhancing mobility among NH residents. Methods The study used a cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) design in which the individual NH was the unit of randomization. The Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations theory provided the framework for the intervention. Outcome measures were surrogate-reported usual pain, self-reported usual and worst pain, and self-reported pain-related interference with activities, depression, and mobility. Results The final sample consisted of 485 NH residents from 27 NHs. The investigators were able to use a staggered enrollment strategy to recruit and retain facilities. The adaptive randomization procedures were successful in balancing intervention and control sites on key NH characteristics. Several strategies were successfully implemented to enhance the adoption of the algorithm. Limitations/Lessons The investigators encountered several methodological challenges that were inherent to both the design and implementation of the study. The most problematic issue concerned the measurement of outcomes in persons with moderate to severe cognitive impairment. It was difficult to identify valid, reliable, and sensitive outcome measures that could be applied to all NH residents regardless of the ability to self-report. Another challenge was the inability to incorporate advances in implementation science into the ongoing study Conclusions Methodological challenges are inevitable in the conduct of an RCT. The need to optimize internal validity by adhering to the study protocol is compromised by the emergent logistical issues that arise during the course of the study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 815-815
Author(s):  
Mary Janevic ◽  
Sheria Robinson-Lane ◽  
Afton Hassett ◽  
Rebecca Courser

Abstract Music has a known analgesic effect. Our multidisciplinary team is developing a music-focused module for Positive STEPS, a pain self-management intervention based on principles of positive psychology. The priority population is African American older adults with disabling chronic pain. Positive STEPS is delivered via website and phone calls from community health workers. To inform program design, we conducted two focus groups with older adults in Detroit (n=16; 100% female and African American; 75% age 70+). All participants said they would enjoy using music to cope with pain. Content analysis revealed the following themes regarding music for pain management: it elicits positive memories, reduces stress, motivates exercise and daily activities, and promotes relaxation. Participants offered ideas for music-focused activities, including learning about unfamiliar genres and using music for meditation/relaxation. Findings will inform the design of a new music module, to be pilot-tested for its effect on participant engagement and pain-related outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 54-54
Author(s):  
Peter Treitler ◽  
Stephen Crystal ◽  
Richard Hermida ◽  
Jennifer Miles

Abstract High rates of opioid prescribing and comorbid medical conditions increase risk of overdose among older adults. As the US population ages and the rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) increase in the elderly population, there is a need to characterize trends and correlates of overdose in order to more effectively target policy and practice. Using a ~40% random sample of 2015-2017 Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older with Part D pharmacy coverage, this study examined medically treated opioid overdoses among US older adults. The sample included 13-14 million beneficiaries per year. The rate of medically treated opioid overdoses among elderly Medicare beneficiaries increased by 15% from 6 per 10,000 in 2015 to 6.9 per 10,000 in 2017. Those with overdose were disproportionately female (63%), non-Hispanic white (83%), with diagnoses of pain conditions (96%), with diagnoses of major depression (63%), and with high rates of conditions that decrease respiratory reserve such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 13% had co-occurring diagnosed alcohol use disorder, 36% were diagnosed with opioid dependence or abuse, and 12% were diagnosed with hepatitis C. Older individuals with overdose represent a complex mix of risk factors; identifying those most at risk (as well as those who have very low risk, whose pain management may be compromised by overly-rigid interpretation of opioid use guidelines) is key in order to address multiple risks, balancing risk reduction with appropriate pain management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 54-54
Author(s):  
Robin McAtee ◽  
Leah Tobey ◽  
Corey Hayes ◽  
Laura Spradley ◽  
Sajni Kumpuris

Abstract Nearly one-third of all Medicare participants were prescribed an opioid by their physician in 2015 (AARP, 2017) and in 2017, Arkansas had the 2nd highest opioid prescribing rate in the nation (CDC, 2019). Approaching older adults (OA) about opioids and pain management can be a sensitive topic. Educating and altering long-term treatment with opioids is especially challenging in rural areas where literacy, especially health literacy, is suboptimal. The Arkansas Geriatric Education Collaborative (AGEC) is a HRSA Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program with an objective to improve health outcomes including an emphasis to decrease the misuse and abuse of opioids among older Arkansans. To address this crisis, the AGEC partnered with local leaders such as the AR Drug Director, academia, Department of Health and Human Services, and multiple community based organizations to create age-tailored educational programs. Unique aspects of approaching and educating rural OA about opioids and pain management will be reviewed. Outcomes will be discussed such as their lack of knowledge about: what is an opioid, why they were prescribed, and what are viable alternatives. Also discussed will be lessons learned that resulted in more effective methods of reaching and teaching rural OA. Partnering with the AR Farm Bureau helped the AGEC reach 100’s of farmers in the extremely rural and mostly agricultural areas. Learning to not use the word opioid resulted in more participants and in a more positive attitude and outlook on attempts to change the culture of opioid use, misuse and abuse among older Arkansans.


Nursing Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alícia Minaya‐Freire ◽  
Mireia Subirana‐Casacuberta ◽  
Emma Puigoriol‐Juvanteny ◽  
Anna Ramon‐Aribau

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e049926
Author(s):  
Sandra Angelika Mümken ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Malte Stollwerck ◽  
Julie Lorraine O'Sullivan ◽  
Joern Kiselev

ObjectivesTo develop a German version of the original University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging Life-Space Assessment (LSA-D) for measurement of community mobility in older adults within the past 4 weeks and to evaluate its construct validity for urban and rural populations of older adults.DesignCross-sectional validation study.SettingTwo study centres in urban and rural German outpatient hospital settings.ParticipantsIn total, N=83 community-dwelling older adults were recruited (n=40 from urban and n=43 from rural areas; mean age was 78.5 years (SD=5.4); 49.4% men).Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe final version of the translated LSA-D was related to limitations in activities and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/iADL) as primary outcome measure (primary hypothesis); and with sociodemographic factors, functional mobility, self-rated health, balance confidence and history of falls as secondary outcome measures to obtain construct validity. Further descriptive measurements of health included hand grip strength, screening of cognitive function, comorbidities and use of transportation. To assess construct validity, correlations between LSA-D and the primary and secondary outcome measures were examined for the total sample, and urban and rural subsamples using bivariate regression and multiple adjusted regression models. Descriptive analyses of LSA-D included different scoring methods for each region. All parameters were estimated using non-parametric bootstrapping procedure.ResultsIn the multiple adjusted model for the total sample, number of ADL/iADL limitations (β=−0.26; 95% CI=−0.42 to −0.08), Timed Up and Go Test (β=−0.37; 95% CI=−0.68 to −0.14), shared living arrangements (β=0.22; 95% CI=0.01 to 0.44) and history of falls in the past 6 months (β=−0.22; 95% CI=−0.41 to −0.05) showed significant associations with the LSA-D composite score, while living in urban area (β=−0.19; 95% CI=−0.42 to 0.03) and male gender (β=0.15; 95% CI=−0.04 to 0.35) were not significant.ConclusionThe LSA-D is a valid tool for measuring life-space mobility in German community-dwelling older adults within the past 4 weeks in ambulant urban and rural settings.Trial registration numberDRKS00019023.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 792-793
Author(s):  
David Clark ◽  
Sudeshna Chatterjee ◽  
Jared Skinner ◽  
Paige Lysne ◽  
Samuel Wu ◽  
...  

Abstract This pilot study assessed a novel intervention to enhance both walking and executive function in older adults. The primary hypothesis was that eighteen sessions of frontal lobe tDCS combined with walking rehabilitation would be feasible, safe, and show preliminary efficacy. Eighteen participants were randomized to one of three intervention groups: active tDCS and rehabilitation with complex walking tasks (Active/Complex); sham tDCS and rehabilitation with complex walking tasks (Sham/Complex); or sham tDCS and rehabilitation with typical walking (Sham/Typical). Outcome measures included multiple tests of walking function, executive function, and prefrontal activity during walking as measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Of the three groups, the Active/Complex group demonstrated the broadest improvements across outcome measures including for prefrontal activity. The functional range of prefrontal activity in this group was increased considerably, as conceptualized by the Compensation Related Utilization of Neural Circuits Hypothesis. Frontal tDCS is a promising adjuvant to walking rehabilitation.


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