Community-Based Exercise Program for Adults 50 and Older Managing Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain A Feasibility Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying community-based exercise programs tailored for older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain in Ireland. This study aims to address the lack of resources in chronic pain management by evaluating whether specialized exercise classes, led by trainers educated in pain neuroscience, can help reduce the need for secondary healthcare. The trial also explores how exercise can be adapted to support people with chronic pain, considering their unique challenges and fears of symptom worsening. The study involves trained exercise trainers leading weekly classes for 8 weeks, offering activities such as Tai Chi, Activator Pole walking, Aquarobics, yoga, Pilates, or circuit-style fitness. Participants in the intervention group receive these classes plus a paper-based education manual on physical activity and pain management based on Explain Pain principles. The control group receives only the education manual and continues usual care but will be offered the exercise classes after completing follow-up assessments. Participants will be engaged through regular assessments including pain intensity, function, emotional health, satisfaction, physical activity levels, and quality of life before and after the 8-week intervention. Researchers will monitor recruitment, retention, refusal, and attendance rates throughout the study. The trial lasts 8 weeks with follow-ups to assess the impact of tailored exercise on chronic pain management and participants wellbeing.

Community-based Exercise for Older Adults With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain