More Movement, Less Bodily Pain? Findings From a Large, Representative Multi-District Aging Study in Ghana

Razak M. GYASI*, Emefa Baaba YEBO-JULIUS, Jude Owusu MENASH NKETIAH, Jonathan BAVEMBA, Boniface Smith ADEVOR, Joel Nanor ANKAPONG, Dominic Degraft ARTHUR, Lawrencia Pokuah SIAW, Kabila ABASS, Prince Osei-Wusu ADJEI, David R. PHILLIPS

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

Abstract

Objective
The association of physical activity (PA) with pain has been characterized. Although the literature largely comes from high-income countries, the mechanistic pathways underlying this association remain unknown, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aim to examine the association between meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) PA guidelines and pain among aging adults and identify the factors that may mediate this association.

Design
We used a quantitative cross-sectional study design.

Setting and Participants
Representative data from adults aged ≥50 years who participated in the Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study were used.

Methods
PA was defined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Self-reported pain experience using a cross-culturally validated item over the past month assessed pain severity. Adjusted multivariable ordinal logistic regression and mediation models quantified the hypothesized associations.

Results
The analysis included 1201 adults (mean 66.1 ± 11.9 years; 63.3% female). After adjusting for confounders, adhering to the WHO-recommended PA guidelines was associated with 42% lower odds for severe/extreme pain [odds ratio (OR) 0.58, 95% CI 0.44-0.77]. The association was much stronger among men (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31-0.85) than women (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.42-0.87). The PA-pain association was explained by functional limitations (84.7%), self-rated health (76.6%), sleep problems (20.4%), and injury (6.6%).

Conclusions and Implications
Moving more was associated with less pain in older adults from LMICs. Interventions for pain management in old age may focus on enhancing compliance with PA doses, particularly in LMICs. However, longitudinal data will need to confirm these findings.
Original languageEnglish
Article number105153
JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association
Volume25
Issue number9
Early online date14 Jul 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine

Funding

This work was supported by Lingnan University, Hong Kong grant number: RPG1129310), to Razak M. Gyasi. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Keywords

  • Physical activity
  • pain severity
  • sleep problems
  • depressive symptoms
  • injury
  • older adults

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