| The power of the mind to help a patient with | | | | The authors concluded that the eight |
| arthritis and chronic pain has been the subject of | | | | mind–body interventions are safe. They |
| intense interest among physicians in both | | | | commented that modifications were made to |
| conventional as well as complementary medicine. | | | | make them suitable for older adults. |
| A recent study reviewed the literature on eight | | | | While they felt there was not yet sufficient |
| mind–body interventions for older adults | | | | evidence to conclude that these eight |
| with chronic nonmalignant pain. | | | | mind–body interventions convincingly |
| (Morone NE, Greco CM. Mind-Body Interventions | | | | reduce chronic nonmalignant pain in older adults, |
| for Chronic Pain in Older Adults: A Structured | | | | they did feel that there were signals indicative of |
| Review. 2007; Pain Medicine 8 (4), | | | | beneficial effects. They recommended that |
| 359–375). | | | | further research should focus on larger, clinical |
| The authors’ objectives were to evaluate | | | | trials of mind–body interventions. |
| the feasibility, safety, and evidence for pain | | | | In another editorial, Dr. KY Loh discussed the role |
| reduction in older adults with chronic nonmalignant | | | | of meditation in the management of chronic pain. |
| pain in the following mind–body therapies: | | | | (Loh KY. Meditation for physical, mental and |
| biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation, | | | | spiritual health |
| meditation, guided imagery, hypnosis, tai chi, qi | | | | Asia Pacific Family Medicine. 2003; 2 (4), |
| gong, and yoga. | | | | 239–239). |
| The researchers found 381 articles retrieved | | | | He wrote, “In chronic pain, the patient |
| through a number of data bases. Of these, 20 | | | | who practices meditation will try to observe the |
| trials that included older adults with chronic pain | | | | sensation of pain and be aware of the process |
| were reviewed. | | | | and sensation as a changing phenomenon. |
| They found 14 articles that included participants | | | | Instead of reacting with anger, frustrations or |
| aged 50 years and above, while only two of the | | | | hatred towards the pain as an obstacle, the |
| articles focused specifically on persons aged | | | | patient can now face the situation with calm, |
| ≥ 65 years. An additional six articles | | | | composure, rational and harmonious state of mind |
| included persons aged ≥50 years. Fourteen | | | | and arrive at a solution for that problem.” |
| articles were controlled trials. | | | | He remarked on the other health benefits including |
| The authors found support for the efficacy of | | | | better sleep, reduced abuse of alcohol and drugs, |
| progressive muscle relaxation plus guided imagery | | | | reduction of blood pressure, decreased in mean |
| for osteoarthritis pain. They found limited support | | | | total cholesterol syndrome, decreased incidence of |
| for meditation and tai chi for improving function or | | | | headache, backache, fibromyalgia, and |
| coping in older adults with low back pain or | | | | improvement in premenstrual syndrome. He also |
| osteoarthritis. | | | | commented that meditation leads to less |
| In an uncontrolled biofeedback trial that stratified | | | | hospitalization and reduction of medical costs. |
| by age group, both older and younger adults had | | | | Since these measures appear to contain very little |
| significant reductions in pain following the | | | | potential for harm, I feel that they are worth |
| intervention. Several studies included older adults, | | | | trying in older adults with arthritis related pain that |
| but did not analyze benefits by age. Tai chi, yoga, | | | | is not responding to conventional treatments |
| hypnosis, and progressive muscle relaxation were | | | | alone. This is particularly true in older patients who |
| significantly associated with pain reduction in these | | | | take multiple medications already. |
| studies. | | | | |