Cognitive-Behavioral Pain Management for Elderly Nursing Home Residents

A cognitive-behavioral pain management program for elderly nursing home residents with chronic pain was compared with an attention/support control treatment in a randomized pre-/post-comparison group design with follow-up. Thirteen women and nine men, ranging in age from 61 to 98 (M = 77.2), from two large nursing homes participated in the treatment programs through 10 weekly group sessions. Results revealed that the subjects who received the cognitive-behavioral training reported less pain and pain-related disability, although the two programs were perceived as equally credible both before and after treatment. No significant treatment effects were found for depression and physician medication ratings. Treatment effects were maintained at 4-month follow-up, despite an overall increase in reported pain. Findings indicate that elderly nursing home residents with chronic pain and without serious cognitive impairment can benefit substantially from training in cognitive and behavioral pain management strategies that are known to be effective with younger age groups and the community-resident elderly population.