Promoting a foundation of resilience in older adults: pilot trial of a strengths-based positive psychology intervention for chronic low back pain

Introduction Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a global public health problem and a leading cause of disability among older adults. Recent years have seen a burgeoning interest in promoting resilience in individuals with chronic pain; however, therapeutic strategies that focus on positive psychologica...

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Main Authors: Emily J. Bartley, Ben L. Ofri, Terrie Vasilopoulos, Shreela Palit, Calia A. Torres, Kimberly T. Sibille
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21642850.2024.2434711
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author Emily J. Bartley
Ben L. Ofri
Terrie Vasilopoulos
Shreela Palit
Calia A. Torres
Kimberly T. Sibille
author_facet Emily J. Bartley
Ben L. Ofri
Terrie Vasilopoulos
Shreela Palit
Calia A. Torres
Kimberly T. Sibille
author_sort Emily J. Bartley
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a global public health problem and a leading cause of disability among older adults. Recent years have seen a burgeoning interest in promoting resilience in individuals with chronic pain; however, therapeutic strategies that focus on positive psychological resources and individual strengths are understudied among older adult populations. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a resilience-promoting intervention among older adults with cLBP, and to assess preliminary treatment effects on pain severity, pain interference, and quality of life.Methods Participants included 50 adults, ages ≥50 years, with back pain rated (at minimum) of moderate intensity and having a significant impact on daily activities. This single-arm trial included seven weekly group sessions targeting positive psychology concepts and techniques that have established benefits in pain management.Results Results suggest high credibility and engagement in the intervention program. Participants found the weekly session content to be beneficial and global treatment satisfaction was high. Pain intensity (−4.3 [−6.14, −2.54]), pain interference (−3.3 [−4.83, −1.80]), depression (−1.6 [−3.16, −0.04]) and QoL-health satisfaction (0.3 [0.01, 0.55]) improved from pre- to post-intervention. At the 3-month follow-up, improvements were also observed for pain intensity (−2.1 [−9.29, −5.04]), pain interference (−5.3 [−6.54, −2.86]), and QoL-physical health (0.9 [0.11, 1.74]).Discussion Results support the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a resilience intervention for older adults with cLBP. These findings may be a step toward the advancement of therapeutic pain modalities and provide a foundation for future research on resilience-promoting interventions for aging populations with chronic pain.
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spelling doaj-art-ab0aada718bf45b2a3c9783ff1eee9422024-12-05T15:52:33ZengTaylor & Francis GroupHealth Psychology and Behavioral Medicine2164-28502024-12-0112110.1080/21642850.2024.2434711Promoting a foundation of resilience in older adults: pilot trial of a strengths-based positive psychology intervention for chronic low back painEmily J. Bartley0Ben L. Ofri1Terrie Vasilopoulos2Shreela Palit3Calia A. Torres4Kimberly T. Sibille5College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USACollege of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USACollege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USACenter for Healthcare Delivery Science, Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, FL, USADivision of Hematology and Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USACollege of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USAIntroduction Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a global public health problem and a leading cause of disability among older adults. Recent years have seen a burgeoning interest in promoting resilience in individuals with chronic pain; however, therapeutic strategies that focus on positive psychological resources and individual strengths are understudied among older adult populations. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a resilience-promoting intervention among older adults with cLBP, and to assess preliminary treatment effects on pain severity, pain interference, and quality of life.Methods Participants included 50 adults, ages ≥50 years, with back pain rated (at minimum) of moderate intensity and having a significant impact on daily activities. This single-arm trial included seven weekly group sessions targeting positive psychology concepts and techniques that have established benefits in pain management.Results Results suggest high credibility and engagement in the intervention program. Participants found the weekly session content to be beneficial and global treatment satisfaction was high. Pain intensity (−4.3 [−6.14, −2.54]), pain interference (−3.3 [−4.83, −1.80]), depression (−1.6 [−3.16, −0.04]) and QoL-health satisfaction (0.3 [0.01, 0.55]) improved from pre- to post-intervention. At the 3-month follow-up, improvements were also observed for pain intensity (−2.1 [−9.29, −5.04]), pain interference (−5.3 [−6.54, −2.86]), and QoL-physical health (0.9 [0.11, 1.74]).Discussion Results support the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a resilience intervention for older adults with cLBP. These findings may be a step toward the advancement of therapeutic pain modalities and provide a foundation for future research on resilience-promoting interventions for aging populations with chronic pain.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21642850.2024.2434711Low back painresiliencepositive psychologyinterventionaging
spellingShingle Emily J. Bartley
Ben L. Ofri
Terrie Vasilopoulos
Shreela Palit
Calia A. Torres
Kimberly T. Sibille
Promoting a foundation of resilience in older adults: pilot trial of a strengths-based positive psychology intervention for chronic low back pain
Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
Low back pain
resilience
positive psychology
intervention
aging
title Promoting a foundation of resilience in older adults: pilot trial of a strengths-based positive psychology intervention for chronic low back pain
title_full Promoting a foundation of resilience in older adults: pilot trial of a strengths-based positive psychology intervention for chronic low back pain
title_fullStr Promoting a foundation of resilience in older adults: pilot trial of a strengths-based positive psychology intervention for chronic low back pain
title_full_unstemmed Promoting a foundation of resilience in older adults: pilot trial of a strengths-based positive psychology intervention for chronic low back pain
title_short Promoting a foundation of resilience in older adults: pilot trial of a strengths-based positive psychology intervention for chronic low back pain
title_sort promoting a foundation of resilience in older adults pilot trial of a strengths based positive psychology intervention for chronic low back pain
topic Low back pain
resilience
positive psychology
intervention
aging
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/21642850.2024.2434711
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