Ageing well with chronic musculoskeletal pain: protocol for a systematic review of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing pain in an ageing population

Poonam Mehta, Mandeep Kaur, Catherine M. Smith, Ramakrishnan Mani, G. David Baxter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Chronic musculoskeletal pain in the elderly is highly prevalent, with osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain and other musculoskeletal disorders as the leading contributors to pain chronicity and disability. Previous reviews identifying effective components of non-pharmacological interventions for treating chronic pain have either few studies or the included studies examine outcome over a limited time span. This systematic review will investigate the effectiveness and components of interventions associated with management of chronic musculoskeletal pain in older adults (≥65 years). Methods/Design: This systematic review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance. Randomised controlled trials of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing pain in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain will be included. Articles will be identified through a comprehensive search of the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AMED, Scopus, Web of Science and PEDro. Two review authors will independently screen articles retrieved from the search for eligibility, and extract relevant data on methodological issues. A narrative synthesis will be completed if there are insufficient data for a meta-analysis. The narrative synthesis will summarise the current state of knowledge, interventions, study designs and robustness of evidence. Discussion: Findings of the study will inform support programs and interventions to assist people aging with pain, carers and other supporters and practitioners. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO 2017:CRD42017074173.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)330-337
Number of pages8
JournalPhysical Therapy Reviews
Volume23
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chronic pain
  • ageing
  • elderly
  • pain management
  • pain measurement
  • randomised controlled trials

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Rehabilitation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Ageing well with chronic musculoskeletal pain: protocol for a systematic review of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing pain in an ageing population'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this