Psychological Approaches to Coping with Pain in Later Life

Christopher Eccleston; Abby Tabor; Rhiannon Terri Edwards; Edmund Keogh

doi:10.1016/j.cger.2016.06.004

Psychological Approaches to Coping with Pain in Later Life

Clin Geriatr Med. 2016 Nov;32(4):763-771. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2016.06.004. Epub 2016 Aug 4.

Authors

Christopher Eccleston¹, Abby Tabor², Rhiannon Terri Edwards², Edmund Keogh²

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Pain Research, The University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. Electronic address: c.eccleston@bath.ac.uk.
² Centre for Pain Research, The University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.

PMID: 27741968
DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2016.06.004

Abstract

A psychological model of coping with the demands of aging is outlined. Chronic pain is conceptualized as a challenge to normal aging, because it threatens identity, risks affective disorder (depression), and interferes with action. The sparse evidence for psychological interventions is reviewed, and a case is made for the types of interventions that should be developed to address the specific presentation of geriatric pain management.

Keywords: Cognitive behavioral therapy; Coping; Evidence; Older adults; Psychology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological*
Aged
Chronic Pain / psychology
Chronic Pain / therapy*
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
Humans
Pain Management / methods*