Chronic Pain, Depression, and Attitudes Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapy in Older Adults
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to describe the level of depression, the impact of chronic pain on daily life, and the attitudes of older adults toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as well as to explore the relationships among these factors.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 289 older adults receiving treatment at Hospital C–Da Nang. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Pearson correlation was used to identify associations among variables.
Results: The impact of chronic pain on the lives of older adults was at a moderate level (28.9±10.9), with pain having the most significant effects on sexual life, self-care, and recreational activities. A total of 73.7% of participants exhibited symptoms of depression. Attitudes toward the use of CAM for self-managing chronic pain were at a moderate level (28.7±3.2). There was a statistically significant association between the impact of chronic pain and attitudes toward CAM use among older adults (p-value<0.001). Furthermore, those with higher levels of depression appeared to be less proactive in accessing complementary care interventions (p-value<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings underscore the link between chronic pain, psychological factors, and CAM attitudes in older adults, indicating implications for future integrative care approaches.
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