Is Physical Exercise with a Support Group of Elderly Effective for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain?

Objective: Evaluate the degree of clinical benefit of an exercising program performed by elderly patients with chronic pain. Methods: This is an uncontrolled prospective longitudinal study that enrolled subjects with musculoskeletal pain who were voluntarily participating in the YMCA's elderly exercise program. Each session started with a 15-minute meeting to talk about their daily lives. Afterwards, they performed an hour session of flexibility, muscular strength, and aerobic exercises. There were four assessments that included a demographic data questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale [VAS] for pain intensity, the Health Assessment Questionnaire [HAQ], and the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 Health Survey [SF-36]. Results: Thirty-four subjects, all over 60 years old, with 83 percent female and 17 percent male were studied. The pain VAS showed a significant improvement in time 1 and 2 in relation to other times. Significant improvement in the HAQ and the functional capacity [P < 0.0001], pain [P < 0.0001], general health [P < 0.0001], social [P = 0.0002], and mental health [P = 0.002] scales of the SF-36 was observed. There was no improvement in the physical and emotional aspects and vitality. Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in general health when compared to a year before. Conclusion: Physical exercise performed by patients with chronic pain who are looking for a support program for the elderly is beneficial in relation to the intensity of pain, functional capacity, and quality of life.