Pain in Frail Elderly People Living at Home and Using Rehabilitation Service of Day Care : Comparison of ADL, Self-efficacy for ADL, Instrumental ADL, and Social Interaction by Pain

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate pain in frail elderly people living at home and to compare the difference between activities of daily living (ADL), self-efficacy for ADL, instrumental ADL (IADL), and social interaction. An interview survey was conducted on 60 older adults using day services with rehabilitation service who are categorized as "Support Required" (level 1 or 2) or "Long-Term Care Level 1" in the Japanese Long-Term Care Insurance system and who were able to answer questions. The results showed that more than half had pain, and the pain was at sites involved in ambulation and transfer, such as the lumbar region, knee, foot, and hip joint. The subjects were using medications and physical methods to cope with the pain. Examination of the relationship to pain also showed significant differences in the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) items related to changing clothes and IADL(TMIG Index of Competence) items of independence of instrumental and in self-efficacy for ADL (p<0.05). These findings suggested that pain may affect confidence regarding ADL and play a role in reduced ADL independence in frail elderly people living at home. It will be necessary in the future to mitigate the effects of pain on daily living and to examine ways to provide assistance for pain in order to improve the quality of life of older adults who live at home.