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Peer-Assisted Pain Management Program for Nursing Home Residents: Does it Help to Relieve Chronic Pain and Enhance Physical and Psychological Health?

Mimi MY Tse *,Suey SY Yeung ,Paul H Lee ,Shamay S M Ng

Context: Chronic pain is common among older adults. Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of a peer-assisted pain management program (PV-IPMP) in reducing pain, enhancing pain self-efficacy and functional mobility, reducing loneliness and increasing the level of happiness among nursing home residents. Methods: We recruited 32 nursing home residents to participate in a 12-week group-based PV-IPMP. There were two 1-hour sessions per week. Education in pain and demonstrations of non-pharmacological pain management strategies were provided. Twelve peers were trained to assist in the sessions. Outcome measures for the participants were collected at baseline (P1) and at week 12 (P2) upon completion of the intervention. Data from peer volunteers were collected prior to training (V1) and at week 12 (V2). T-tests were used to compare the differences in outcome measures collected at two time points. Results: A significant reduction in pain intensity from 5.8+2.6 (P1) to 3.4+2.5 (P2) was found among nursing home residents (p=0.003). Pain self-efficacy increased from 30.0+16.1 to 36.1+14.6 (p>0.05). Functional mobility significantly improved from 64.3+36.8 to 68.1+36.6 (p=0.008). There was an enhancement in happiness level for the nursing home residents from 16.8+5.3 to 20.6+4.4 (p<0.001), while the loneliness level dropped significantly from 44.5+8.7 to 34.3+8.3 (p<0.001).The peer volunteers showed a significant increase in self-rated pain management knowledge (2.9+2.6 to 8.1+1.2, p<0.001) and self-efficacy in volunteering (5.8+2.9 to 8.3+1.5, p=0.013). Conclusion: The peer-assisted pain management program was feasible and effective at relieving the chronic pain and enhancing the physical and psychological health of nursing home residents.