Exploring the relationship between cognition and self-reported pain in residents of homes for the elderly.
BACKGROUND
Pain poses a major problem in older adults, specifically for those living in homes for the elderly. Previous research indicates that the presence of pain may be associated with changes in cognitive functions. It is unclear, however, how the reported experience of pain relates to cognitive functioning in elderly people with chronic pain. The present study was intended to examine the relationship between clinical pain experience and neuropsychological status in residents of homes for the elderly.


METHODS
Forty-one residents suffering from arthritis or arthrosis completed tests measuring memory, processing speed, and executive function. The sensory-discriminative and the affective-motivational aspects of clinical pain were measured.


RESULTS
Performance on executive function tests was positively related to self-reported pain experience. No relationship was observed between pain and memory or processing speed performance.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that executive functioning is related to the severity of subjectively reported pain. Possible explanations for this association are discussed.
Oosterman
Joukje M
JM
Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.m.oosterman@uu.nl
de Vries
Kerst
K
Dijkerman
H Chris
HC
de Haan
Edward H F
EH
Scherder
Erik J A
EJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008609:Mental Status Schedule / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009426:Netherlands; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000523:psychology*; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data