Chronic Pain and Cognition in Older Americans
Author Information
Author(s): Yu Chang, Barr Ashley, Yang Yulin, Grol-Prokopczyk Hanna
Primary Institution: University at Buffalo, SUNY
Hypothesis
The study examines how chronic pain and its interference affect cognitive function in middle-aged and older Americans, particularly by educational background.
Conclusion
Chronic pain negatively impacts episodic memory, especially in individuals without a college education, while pain interferences affect cognitive function across all education levels.
Supporting Evidence
- Changes in pain negatively correlated with episodic memory for individuals without any college education.
- Pain interferences negatively correlated with both episodic memory and executive functioning across all education levels.
Takeaway
If older people have chronic pain, it can make it harder for them to remember things, especially if they didn't go to college.
Methodology
The study used fixed-effects linear models to analyze data from the MIDUS study, focusing on changes in chronic pain and its interference with cognitive function.
Participant Demographics
Middle-aged and older Americans, with a focus on educational background.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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