Play activities program to relieve chronic pain and enhance functional mobility and psychological well-being for frail older adults: a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial

Tse, Mimi M.Y., Ng, Shamay S.M. and Lee, Paul H. , et al. (2016) Play activities program to relieve chronic pain and enhance functional mobility and psychological well-being for frail older adults: a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 64 (10), e86-e88. (doi:10.1111/jgs.14374).

Abstract

Chronic pain is common in frail older adults. Pain can alter psychological status, causing higher levels of loneliness and depression and lower levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Pain hinders functional mobility and activities of daily living, and frail older adults consequently participate less in social activities, resulting in a deterioration of physical health and quality of life. Play activities are widely used in children, and their therapeutic effects are well established. Benefits include better communication skills, social skills, and cognitive ability.
Play activities are also effective in reducing fear and anxiety for hospitalized children4 and postsurgical pain in children.5
The social effects of play activities may help to reduce pain.6Older adults living in nursing homes tend to be lonelier and more socially isolated than individuals of other ages, which places them at greater risk of negative consequences of pain. The literature on play activities for older adults is scanty, but the potential beneficial effects of play activities in this age group warrant investigation. It was therefore the aim of this study to explore the therapeutic effects of play activities on the physical and psychological health of frail older adults.

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Contributors

Author: Paul H. Lee

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