The "Exploring the Impact of Pain on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Elderly with Musculoskeletal Disorders" -
Main Article Content
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Pain is a common health issue among the elderly, with chronic pain significantly impacting functional capacity and quality of life. This study analyzes the relationship between pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in elderly individuals using the Barthel Index and WHOQOL-BREF.
Methods: This analytical observational study utilized a cross-sectional design involving 204 elderly individuals with musculoskeletal pain from 10 hospitals in Central Java. Pain levels were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), functional capacity was measured using the Barthel Index, and quality of life was evaluated using WHOQOL-BREF. Data were analyzed descriptively, and Spearman’s correlation test was used to determine relationships between variables.
Results: The descriptive analysis revealed knee pain as the most commonly reported location (33.33%), followed by lower back pain (30.4%). Functional capacity assessment showed high independence in daily activities, with 99.0% eating and 96.6% bathing independently. However, only 74.0% could navigate stairs without assistance. Spearman's correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between pain and the Barthel Index (r = -0.174, p = 0.013), WHOQOL-BREF Domain 1 (r = -0.319, p < 0.001), and Domain 2 (r = -0.185, p = 0.008). No significant relationships were observed for Domains 3 and 4.
Conclusion: Pain significantly impacts functional capacity and psychological well-being in elderly individuals, but its effect on social and environmental quality of life is less pronounced. Comprehensive pain assessment and targeted interventions are essential to improve their quality of life.
Introduction: Pain is a common health issue among the elderly, with chronic pain significantly impacting functional capacity and quality of life. This study analyzes the relationship between pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in elderly individuals using the Barthel Index and WHOQOL-BREF.
Methods: This analytical observational study utilized a cross-sectional design involving 204 elderly individuals with musculoskeletal pain from 10 hospitals in Central Java. Pain levels were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), functional capacity was measured using the Barthel Index, and quality of life was evaluated using WHOQOL-BREF. Data were analyzed descriptively, and Spearman’s correlation test was used to determine relationships between variables.
Results: The descriptive analysis revealed knee pain as the most commonly reported location (33.33%), followed by lower back pain (30.4%). Functional capacity assessment showed high independence in daily activities, with 99.0% eating and 96.6% bathing independently. However, only 74.0% could navigate stairs without assistance. Spearman's correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between pain and the Barthel Index (r = -0.174, p = 0.013), WHOQOL-BREF Domain 1 (r = -0.319, p < 0.001), and Domain 2 (r = -0.185, p = 0.008). No significant relationships were observed for Domains 3 and 4.
Conclusion: Pain significantly impacts functional capacity and psychological well-being in elderly individuals, but its effect on social and environmental quality of life is less pronounced. Comprehensive pain assessment and targeted interventions are essential to improve their quality of life.
Article Details
How to Cite
Rosdiana, I. R., Setianing, R., Astuti, N., Kusuma Hartono, D., Ajoe Kesoema, T., Sari Dewi, N., Jehan Suhastika, S., Fadlia, N., Nurkhasanah, L., & Nur Pramudita, A. (2025). The "Exploring the Impact of Pain on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Elderly with Musculoskeletal Disorders". Indonesian Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 14(1), 48 - 58. https://doi.org/10.36803/indojpmr.v14i1.457
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Original Article

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References
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13. Mastela GC, Galiano J de C, Garcia LCT, Arbex MCFB, Lemos N de FD, Santos FC. Chronic pain among older adults and its impact on satisfaction with social participation: development and validation of the “Instrument to Assess Older Adults’ Social Participation”. A descriptive quantitative study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2024;142(2):1–9.
14. Melati AN, Nugraheni N, Djuari L, Yulianti E, Romadhon PZ. Knee Pain and Quality of Life among the Elderly. Curr Intern Med Res Pract Surabaya J. 2024;5(2):68–73.
15. Resnick B, Boltz M, Galik E, Holmes S, Vigne E, Fix S, et al. Pain Assessment, Management, and Impact Among Older Adults in Assisted Living. Pain Manag Nurs. 2019;20(3):192–7.
16. Goes M, Lopes M, Marôco J, Oliveira H, Fonseca C. Psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF(PT) in a sample of elderly citizens. Health Qual Life Outcomes [Internet]. 2021;19(1):1–12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-021-01783-z
17. Du D, Li H, Xu Y, Zheng T, Xu X, Wang J, et al. Study on the Effect of Pain Programmed Care Based on the Concept of Prehabilitation on the Recovery of Joint Function and WHOQOL-BREF Score in Elderly Patients after Total Hip Arthroplasty. Altern Ther Health Med. 2023;29(8):618–23.
18. Mezey GA, Paulik E, Máté Z. Effect of osteoarthritis and its surgical treatment on patients’ quality of life: a longitudinal study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord [Internet]. 2023;24(1):1–10. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06662-w
2. Chan HKI, Chan CPI. Managing chronic pain in older people. Clin Med J R Coll Physicians London. 2022;22(4):292–4.
3. Puto G, Repka I, Muszalik M. Factors Correlating with Functional Capacity in Older People with Chronic Pain. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20(3).
4. Wu SH, Lin CF, Lu IC, Yeh MS, Hsu CC, Yang YH. Association between pain and cognitive and daily functional impairment in older institutional residents: a cross-sectional study. BMC Geriatr [Internet]. 2023;23(1):1–10. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04337-8
5. Lemos B de O, Cunha AMR da, Cesarino CB, Martins MRI. The impact of chronic pain on functionality and quality of life of the elderly. Brazilian J Pain. 2019;2(3):237–41.
6. Johansson MM, Barbero M, Peolsson A, Falla D, Cescon C, Folli A, et al. Pain characteristics and quality of life in older people at high risk of future hospitalization. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(3):1–12.
7. Borsheski R, Johnson QL. Pain management in the geriatric population. Mo Med. 2014;111(6):508–11.
8. Schofield P, Dunham M, Martin D, Bellamy G, Francis SA, Sookhoo D, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the management of pain in older people – a summary report. Br J Pain. 2022;16(1):6–13.
9. de Souza IMB, Sakaguchi TF, Yuan SLK, Matsutani LA, Do Espírito-Santo A de S, Pereira CA de B, et al. Prevalence of low back pain in the elderly population: A systematic review. Clinics. 2019;74.
10. Satghare P, Chong SA, Vaingankar J, Picco L, Abdin E, Chua BY, et al. Prevalence and correlates of pain in people aged 60 years and above in Singapore: Results from the wise study. Pain Res Manag. 2016;2016.
11. Patel K V., Guralnik JM, Dansie EJ, Turk DC. Prevalence and impact of pain among older adults in the United States: Findings from the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study. Pain. 2013;154(12):2649–57.
12. Wróblewska Z, Chmielewski JP, Florek-łuszczki M, Nowak-Starz G, Wojciechowska M, Wróblewska IM. Assessmentof functional capacity of the elderly. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2023;30(1):156–63.
13. Mastela GC, Galiano J de C, Garcia LCT, Arbex MCFB, Lemos N de FD, Santos FC. Chronic pain among older adults and its impact on satisfaction with social participation: development and validation of the “Instrument to Assess Older Adults’ Social Participation”. A descriptive quantitative study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2024;142(2):1–9.
14. Melati AN, Nugraheni N, Djuari L, Yulianti E, Romadhon PZ. Knee Pain and Quality of Life among the Elderly. Curr Intern Med Res Pract Surabaya J. 2024;5(2):68–73.
15. Resnick B, Boltz M, Galik E, Holmes S, Vigne E, Fix S, et al. Pain Assessment, Management, and Impact Among Older Adults in Assisted Living. Pain Manag Nurs. 2019;20(3):192–7.
16. Goes M, Lopes M, Marôco J, Oliveira H, Fonseca C. Psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF(PT) in a sample of elderly citizens. Health Qual Life Outcomes [Internet]. 2021;19(1):1–12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-021-01783-z
17. Du D, Li H, Xu Y, Zheng T, Xu X, Wang J, et al. Study on the Effect of Pain Programmed Care Based on the Concept of Prehabilitation on the Recovery of Joint Function and WHOQOL-BREF Score in Elderly Patients after Total Hip Arthroplasty. Altern Ther Health Med. 2023;29(8):618–23.
18. Mezey GA, Paulik E, Máté Z. Effect of osteoarthritis and its surgical treatment on patients’ quality of life: a longitudinal study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord [Internet]. 2023;24(1):1–10. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06662-w