Exploring the Acute and Dynamic Relationships Between Movement and Pain in Older Adults With Musculoskeletal Pain

Launched by INDIANA UNIVERSITY · Mar 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how short periods of walking might help older adults who experience musculoskeletal pain, which is pain affecting their joints, muscles, or bones. Researchers want to understand how walking can influence overall body pain and pain during movement. The goal is to find out if these brief walking sessions can help older adults feel better and adapt to their pain.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be older adults living in the community who have experienced musculoskeletal pain in the past month. However, individuals with certain health issues, such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart problems, serious diseases affecting daily activities, or those who have used strong pain medications for a long time, cannot participate. If you are eligible, you can expect to take part in walking sessions and answer questions about your pain. It's important to note that participants should avoid vigorous exercise two days before each session. This study could help improve how we understand and manage pain in older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Community-dwelling men and women
• • Answer yes to the following question: Have you experienced any musculoskeletal pain (pain affecting joints, bones, ligaments, tendons or muscles) in the past month?
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Cardiovascular issues such as uncontrolled blood pressure over 150/99 mmHg, heart failure, or history of acute myocardial infarction;
• • Angina in the last month (squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness, or pain in chest)
• • Serious systemic disease or condition (e.g., severe osteoarthritis, injury) that restricts normal daily activities
• • Neurological disease (e.g., Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy)
• • Serious psychiatric conditions (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) or hospitalization within the preceding year for psychiatric illness
• • Known peripheral neuropathy
• • Chronic opioid use (defined as ≥ 90 days)
• • Unable to walk for 6 minutes without assistive devices
• Session exclusion criteria:
• • • Participants will be asked to not participate in vigorous or unaccustomed exercise 48 hours prior to each study session.