Physical function among older adults with knee pain: the role of pain coping skills.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between pain coping skills and disability among older adults with knee pain.


METHODS
Baseline measures from 394 older adults with knee pain and disability who participated in a 30-month observational study were analyzed. Pain coping skills were correlated with self-reported disability and walking distance after controlling for covariates of disability.


RESULTS
Pain coping skills were significantly associated with disability (P < 0.05) and distance walked (P < 0.05). Less catastrophic thinking and prayer, greater ignoring and reinterpretation of pain sensations, and stronger perceptions of pain control were associated with less disability and better physical function.


CONCLUSIONS
Pain coping skills used by older adults with osteoarthritis and knee pain may play a significant role in determining disability.
Rapp
S R
SR
Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
Rejeski
W J
WJ
Miller
M E
ME
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012067:Religion; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking; D016138:Walking