Physical Activity, Social Participation, and Pain Outcomes Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Background: Little is known regarding the effect of social participation (SP) and physical activity (PA) on pain outcomes among community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Aims: To determine whether SP and PA are associated with pain outcomes (bothersome pain and number of pain sites). Design: Guided by the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain for older adults, we analyzed data from 7,187 community dwelling participants in the National Health and Aging Trends Study. In cross-sectional analyses, we utilized logistic and negative binomial regressions. Methods: We prospectively assessed the association between SP/ PA and new or worsening pain from baseline (2011) to 2021 using a discrete time survival analysis by logistic regression, controlling for sociodemographic and health characteristics. Results: At baseline, participation in 5 SP activities per month versus no activities, and performing any PA compared with no PA were significantly associated with lower likelihood of bothersome pain. Although SP and PA were associated with reporting fewer pain sites at baseline, SP was not associated with developing new or worsening pain, prospectively. However, walking and vigorous exercise compared with no PA was significantly associated with a 10% lower risk of developing new or worsening pain (adj odds ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82-0.98). Conclusions: Physical activity but not social participation may protect against development of new or worsening pain. More research is needed to determine whether social activity can be beneficial for pain prevention and management. Efforts to promote physical activity among older adults may reduce risk of new or worsening pain.