Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Exercise for Older Adults With Chronic Pain

Investigation of the Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Exercise in Older Adults With Chronic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this trial is to learn if combining Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and exercise works to reduce pain intensity, pain interference, and depressive symptoms in older adults with chronic pain and depressive symptoms.

Researchers will compare ACT + exercise intervention (ACEx) to ACT + art intervention (Art+Ex) and usual care to see if ACT + exercise intervention works to reduce pain intensity, pain interference, and depressive symptoms.

Participants will receive ACEx program, Art+Ex program, or usual care for 8 weeks and complete tests before and after the programs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 60 years or above; and
• have depressive symptoms of mild level or above (PHQ > 5)
• have chronic pain (>3 months)
• able to give informed consent to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

• known history of autism, intellectual disability, schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, or dementia
• (temporary exclusion criteria) imminent suicidal risk difficulty in communication
• have had stroke, fracture, cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular surgery, artery disease, surgery on vertebrae, and knee replacement in the past 6 months
• physical activity prohibited by a medical professional