Managing Non-Cancer Chronic Pain in Frail Older Adults: A Pilot Study Based on a Multidisciplinary Approach

Teodora Figueiredo, Luís Midão, Rute Sampaio, Joana Carrilho, Constantino Coelho, Giovanni Cerullo, Antonella Di Paola, Angelo Carfì, Graziano Onder and Elísio Costa ()
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Teodora Figueiredo: UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Luís Midão: UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Rute Sampaio: Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Joana Carrilho: UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Constantino Coelho: UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Giovanni Cerullo: Palliative Care, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve, 8000-386 Algarve, Portugal
Antonella Di Paola: Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Angelo Carfì: Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Graziano Onder: Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Elísio Costa: UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Associate Laboratory i4HB-Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 24, 1-9

Abstract: Considering the multidimensionality of chronic pain, it is crucial to develop comprehensive strategies for its effective management. However, establishing well-defined, evidence-based guidelines for such approaches remains challenging. To overcome this, we present the finding from a 4-month intervention to enhance the management of non-cancer chronic pain in older adults with pre-frailty and frailty. The intervention’s core elements comprised a multidisciplinary individualized plan, a case manager, and patient education. This pilot study involved 22 participants (≥65 years). It assessed changes in pain frequency and intensity (pain scale), frailty (Fried frailty phenotype criteria), and medication adherence (Brief Adherence Rating Scale) before and after the 4-month intervention. The results were encouraging: pain frequency and intensity and frailty score tended to decrease, and medication adherence showed significant improvement. This preliminary small-scale pilot study provides a foundation for further research and for exploring the potential scalability of this multidisciplinary patient-centred intervention.

Keywords: chronic pain; frailty; older adults; intervention; case manager; health literacy; adherence; CHRODIS+ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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