A New Model to Reach Vulnerable Older Adults With Pain Self-management Support

A New Model to Reach Vulnerable Older Adults With Pain Self-management Support

Learning chronic pain self-management skills can help patients improve daily functioning and quality of life, while avoiding risks associated with opioids and other pharmacological treatments. Community health workers (CHWs) may help make chronic pain self-management interventions more accessible to older adults living in underserved communities. The goal of this study is to conduct a feasibility test of a chronic pain self-management intervention delivered by CHWs, in conjunction with mobile health tools, in a sample of 25 older adults recruited from community sites in Detroit, Michigan. This study will involve the use of mixed quantitative and qualitative methods to assess participant engagement and satisfaction, and change in pain-related outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• English-proficient
• Age >= 60 years
• Ambulatory with or without assistive device
• Community-living
• Have a cell or landline phone
• Have Internet access (home or elsewhere)
• Self-reported chronic musculoskeletal pain (pain in muscles or joints for > 3 months); >4 (0-10 scale) average pain level over last week; >1 day/previous 30 when pain made it difficult to do usual activities
• Ability to attend a one-time study orientation session

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious acute illness or hospitalization in last month
• Planned surgery in next three months
• Significant cognitive impairment as indicated by affirmative response to question: "Do you have significant difficulties with your memory that get in the way of your usual daily activities?"
• Other severe physical or psychiatric disorder judged by study team to pose significant barrier to deriving program benefit.