What Are the Effects of Physical Activity on Sleep Quality and Low Back Pain in Older Adults?

Low back pain (LBP) can be less disabling in those who are physically active. This study analyzed the association between physical activity (PA)- and LBP-related disability in older people with LBP, exploring if this association was mediated by depressive symptoms. The authors analyzed the relationship between PA levels and disability using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire, respectively, collected at baseline from the Brazilian Back Complaints in the Elders study. The authors investigated depressive symptoms as a mediator of this association using the Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. PA was inversely associated with disability. This association was smaller when considering the indirect effect through depressive symptoms. Thus, depressive symptoms partially mediated the association between PA and disability in older adults with LBP, and higher levels of PA were associated with less depressive symptoms and disability.

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The bidirectional association between sleep quality and low back pain in the older adults: a longitudinal observational study

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1016/j.apmr.2021.11.009 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Priscila K. Morelhão ◽

Cynthia Gobbi ◽

Diego G.D. Christofaro ◽

Tatiana M. Damato ◽

Guilherme H.D. Grande ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Observational Study ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Low Back ◽

Longitudinal Observational Study ◽

Bidirectional Association

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Insomnia in chronic non-specific low back pain

Neurology neuropsychiatry Psychosomatics ◽

10.14412/2074-2711-2021-5-62-67 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 62-67

Author(s):

I. A. Lamkova ◽

V. A. Parfenov

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Short Form ◽

Therapy Group ◽

Low Back

Patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) often have sleep disturbances (insomnia), which negatively affects pain severity, mental state, activities of everyday living, and the overall quality of life. The prevalence of insomnia in patients with CNSLBP and the effectiveness of its therapy require further investigation.Objective: to identify the prevalence of insomnia and the effectiveness of its treatment in CNSLBP.Patients and methods. The study included 71 patients aged 18–75 years (mean age 55.09±13.0 years) with CNSLBP. A single sleep hygiene educational session was run in the standard treatment group (n=34; mean age – 51±14 years). Intervention in the extended therapy group (n=37; mean age – 59±12 years) included an educational program dedicated to sleep, which was an individual face-to-face course of 4–5 sessions over two weeks and a telephone survey after three months. We used the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep disturbances, a numerical rating scale (NRS) to assess pain, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), and the 12-item short form health survey (SF-12) to assess physical activity and quality of life. The survey was carried out three times (at the admission, after 7–10 and 80–90 days).Results and discussion. In both groups of patients with CNSLBP, PSQI scores improved in a week and after 3 months compared with baseline (p<0.05). Sleep quality between 7th and 90th days significantly improved only in the extended therapy group (p=0.025). ISI scores significantly improved during inpatient treatment in both groups (p<0.05), but between 7th and 90th days significantly improved only in the extended therapy group (р=0.048). Back pain intensity according to NRS significantly decreased in a week and after 3 months, compared to baseline (р<0.0001). Significant increase in physical activity (p≤0.001), physical and mental components of quality of life (p<0.05) were found only in the extended therapy group.Conclusion. Most patients with CNSLBP have insomnia, the treatment of which can improve sleep and help reduce pain.

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Therapy Students’ Recommendations of Physical Activity for Managing Persistent Low Back Pain in Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.21.3.309 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 309-318 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cormac G. Ryan ◽

Patricia Schofield ◽

Denis J. Martin

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Care ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Low Back ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Important Health

Negative views of older adults can lead to suboptimal care. For older adults with persistent low back pain (LBP), promotion of physical activity by health care professionals is important. Health care professionals’ views of older adults are influenced by their training. This study aimed to compare recommendations for physical activity for managing persistent LBP offered by students in physiotherapy and occupational therapy to an older person vs. a younger person. In a cross-sectional online survey, participants (N = 77) randomly received a vignette of either a 40-yr-old or 70-yr-old patient with persistent LBP. Other than age, the vignettes were identical. There was no difference between the younger and older vignettes in the likelihood of participants making overall appropriate physical activity recommendations—63% vs. 59%, OR (95%CI) = 1.19 (0.48–2.99), p = .71—although there was a trend toward age bias on recommendations specific to daily activity. Postqualification education may be where ageist views need to be addressed.

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Paradigm Shift in Geriatric Low Back Pain Management: Integrating Influences, Experiences, and Consequences

Physical Therapy ◽

10.1093/ptj/pzy028 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 98 (5) ◽

pp. 434-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Corey B Simon ◽

Gregory E Hicks

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Physical Function ◽

Physical Therapist ◽

Low Back ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Major Health ◽

Spine Degeneration

AbstractGeriatric low back pain (LBP) can have a profound impact on physical activity and can cause a decline in physical function, which is a major health risk for older adults. Within the last decade, physical therapist management of LBP has shifted from an emphasis on pathoanatomical mechanisms, such as spine degeneration, to addressing psychological distress factors. Although this approach is promising, the complexity of LBP in older adults (including biological, psychological, cognitive, and social influences), which may differ from that in younger adults, must be considered. Further, outcome assessment should represent not only the LBP experience (eg, pain intensity, pain with movement) but also LBP consequences, such as physical activity decline and physical function decline. This perspective discusses influences on geriatric LBP, experiences, and consequences with the goal of facilitating standardized and comprehensive physical therapist management.

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Safety of Acupuncture Treatments for Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct03850717 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Chronic Low Back Pain ◽

Low Back

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Efficacy of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and therapeutic exercise for older adults with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1136875.593969 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

Karen Anderson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Nerve Stimulation ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Low Back ◽

Therapeutic Exercise ◽

Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽

Randomized Controlled

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Low Back Pain and Substance Use: Diagnostic and Administrative Coding for Opioid Use and Dependence Increased in U.S. Older Adults with Low Back Pain

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnaa428 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Beth B Hogans ◽

Bernadette C Siaton ◽

Michelle N Taylor ◽

Leslie I Katzel ◽

John D Sorkin

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Substance Use ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

National Sample ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Diagnostic Code ◽

Low Back ◽

Opioid Use ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Objective Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of pain and disability. Substance use complicates the management of LBP, and potential risks increase with aging. Despite implications for an aging, diverse U.S. population, substance use and LBP comorbidity remain poorly defined. The objective of this study was to characterize LBP and substance use diagnoses in older U.S. adults by age, gender, and race. Design Cross-sectional study of a random national sample. Subjects Older adults including 1,477,594 U.S. Medicare Part B beneficiaries. Methods Bayesian analysis of 37,634,210 claims, with 10,775,869 administrative and 92,903,649 diagnostic code assignments. Results LBP was diagnosed in 14.8±0.06% of those more than 65 years of age, more in females than in males (15.8±0.08% vs. 13.4±0.09%), and slightly less in those more than 85 years of age (13.3±0.2%). Substance use diagnosis varied by substance: nicotine, 9.6±0.02%; opioid, 2.8±0.01%; and alcohol, 1.3±0.01%. Substance use diagnosis declined with advancing age cohort. Opioid use diagnosis was markedly higher for those in whom LBP was diagnosed (10.5%) than for those not diagnosed with LBP (1.5%). Most older adults (54.9%) with an opioid diagnosis were diagnosed with LBP. Gender differences were modest. Relative rates of substance use diagnoses in LBP were modest for nicotine and alcohol. Conclusions Older adults with LBP have high relative rates of opioid diagnoses, irrespective of gender or age. Most older adults with opioid-related diagnoses have LBP, compared with a minority of those not opioid diagnosed. In caring for older adults with LBP or opioid-related diagnoses, health systems must anticipate complexity and support clinicians, patients, and caregivers in managing pain comorbidities. Older adults may benefit from proactive incorporation of non-opioid pain treatments. Further study is needed.

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