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Exploring the relationship between cognition and self-reported pain in residents of homes for the elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2008

Joukje M. Oosterman ,
Kerst de Vries ,
H. Chris Dijkerman ,
Edward H. F. de Haan  and
Erik J. A. Scherder
Joukje M. Oosterman*
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Kerst de Vries
Affiliation:
Nursing Home St. Jacob, Osiragroep, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
H. Chris Dijkerman
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Edward H. F. de Haan
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Erik J. A. Scherder
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: J.M. Oosterman, Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 2, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands. Phone: +31 30 253 3651; Fax number: +31 3025 34511. Email: j.m.oosterman@uu.nl.
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Abstract

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.

Conclusion: The present study shows that executive functioning is related to the severity of subjectively reported pain. Possible explanations for this association are discussed.

Keywords

chronic painagingexecutive functionprocessing speedmemory
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , February 2009 , pp. 157 - 163
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2008

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