Positive Health Online

Abstract

MIDDAUGH and PAWLICK, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of Couth Caroline, Children’s Hospital, Suite 525, PO Box 250912, 165 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29325, USA, middauga@musc.edu, reviewed (73 references) and studied biofeedback and behavioural treatment of persistent pain in older adults.

Background

Persistent pain is a common health problem in people over 60, with an incidence twice that in younger people. At the same time, older people are underrepresented in behaviourally oriented management programs that have proven effective for younger adults. But when offered the opportunity, older patients accept and benefit from multidisciplinary pain programs, cognitive-behavioural therapies and biofeedback.

Methodology

Results

A study comparing 58 older and 59 younger pain patients in a multidisciplinary pain program indicates that older people readily acquire the physiological self-regulation skills taught in biofeedback-assisted relaxation training, and achieve comparable decreases in pain on the whole pain program.

Conclusion

References

Middaugh SJ, Pawlick K. Biofeedback and behavioral treatment of persistent pain in the older adult: a review and a study. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback 27 (3): 185-202, Sep 2002.