Interrelation of cognitive decline, chronic or acute musculoskeletal pain, and risky substance use in older adults
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cognitive decline (CD) is becoming more prevalent with the growing older population, and while this occurs normally with aging, there are risk factors that prompts or worsens cognitive function.
PURPOSE: To review the recent literature to describe the interrelation of CD, chronic or acute musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, and risky substance use on cognitive function in older adults, as well as review the measures for evaluating these risk factors in this population.
METHODS: To identify articles for this review, a comprehensive search of English-language literature was conducted using PubMed for publications related to the adverse effects of CD, chronic or acute MSK pain, and risky substance use on cognitive function in older adults. Peer-reviewed research articles, reviews, meta-analyses, as well as reputable online resources and websites were included in the search. A combination of the following terms was used: cognitive decline, chronic musculoskeletal pain, acute musculoskeletal pain, risky substance use, and older adults. A manual search was also conducted to ultimately address the impact of chronic or acute MSK pain and risky substance use on cognitive function. Articles that addressed the measures for evaluating CD in older adults who indicate chronic or acute MSK pain and risky substance use in this search were included as well.
RESULTS: After screening titles and abstracts, data was found to be contradictory on whether the substances used for chronic or acute MSK pain affects cognitive function in older adults. Evaluating this change in cognitive function can be challenging to do as CD may affect how chronic or acute MSK pain and risky substance use is assessed in older adults. Pain assessment is especially impacted in older adults who experience CD. After assessing pain, it is also key to also understand how to evaluate CD. Many tools are already available to measure CD in a clinical setting. Clinicians must ultimately consider a patients education level, the language barrier, severity of deficits, and cognitive domains of interest when selecting a tool to assess cognitive function among older adults who indicate chronic or acute MSK and risky substance use.
CONCLUSION: Risky substance use among older adults who have chronic or acute MSK pain may either worsen, improve, or not affect cognitive function. Future designs should develop cognitive function interventions in a more organized effort.
Description
2024