Management of chronic pain for older persons: A multisensory stimulation approach

Since the prevalence of chronic pain among the elderly is high and reduces their quality of life, effective non-pharmacological pain management should be promoted. The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest and posttest control design was to enhance pain management via an 8-week multisensory stimulation art and craft appreciation program (MSSAC). Residents from two nursing homes were randomized into an experimental group with MSSAC and a control group with regular care but without MSSAC. Relevant data were collected from both groups before and after the MSSAC. The MSSAC consisted of an 8-week program, with one session per week consisting of an art and craft activity and practicing multisensory stimulation therapy. There were 59 and 82 older people in the experimental and control group respectively. No significant differences were found in their demographic characteristics, pain parameters, number of non-pharmacological strategies for pain relief, effectiveness scores on the non-pharmacological therapies, and psychologica l wellbeing at the baseline. Upon completion of the MSSAC, there was a significant decrease in pain scores and in the use of non-drug methods to control pain. Also, a significant improvement was observed in all psychological parameters in the experimental group, but not for the control group. The MSSAC proved to be effective in reducing pain, enhancing psychological wellbeing, and increasing the use of non-pharmacological therapies for the elderly.