JAMA article-Increased pain increases risk for falls

I realize that we have few "elderly" forum members but we do have many with chronic pain and this article abstract points out that pain may interfere with executive or cognitive  function:


Chronic Pain Linked to Greater Risk for Falls in the Elderly

Chronic pain among older adults is a risk factor for falls, according to a study in JAMA.

Researchers assessed pain among roughly 750 community-dwelling adults (aged 70 and older) at baseline and at monthly intervals. Over 18 months, 55% of the participants fell at least once. In adjusted analyses, seniors who had more pain at baseline — i.e., greater number of joints with pain, more severe pain, or greater pain interference with daily activities — were at increased risk for falling, compared with those reporting little or no pain. The researchers also found an association between monthly pain severity and risk for falls in the subsequent month.

The authors speculate that the following factors may contribute to the observed association: local joint pathology, neuromuscular effects leading to muscle weakness, and pain interfering with executive function or cognition.

JAMA article

[Quixotic1]

Thanks, Ren,

I would also add that pain causes us to move unnaturally.  This can cause us to make moves that are protective, but not sound - ignoring the laws of phsyics - mostly balance and gravity.