Results support the use of group-based cognitive-behavioral interventions in promoting QoL and BF in this population.

With the shifting age demographics of the U.S. population, more psychologists will be asked to provide clinical services to older adults. Given the high prevalence of persistent pain in aging, in many cases this will mean providing empirically supported interventions for pain and the interference it creates. The purpose of this review is to provide a broad overview of the scope and impact of persistent pain in older people and to discuss mechanisms by which persistent geriatric pain can lead to suffering and disability. We consider the unique context of pain in older adulthood and review differences between older and younger people in terms of pain perception, the social network, beliefs about pain, pain-related coping, and adherence to pain medication. Finally, we discuss special issues affecting pain management in older adults, including dementia, polypharmacy, and barriers to accessing adequate pain care. This review also highlights a need for greater provider training in pain management to meet the needs of a changing U.S. population.

Results suggest that participation in a culturally and linguistically adapted CBSM group intervention improved QoL in Hispanic monolingual men treated for localized PC.

Abstract-This study identified clinical (e.g., etiology) and demographic factors related to prosthesis use in persons with upper-and lower-limb amputation (ULA and LLA, respectively) and the effect of phantom limb pain (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP) on prosthesis use. A total of 752 respondents with LLA and 107 respondents with ULA completed surveys. Factors related to greater use (hours per day) for persons with LLA included younger age, full-or part-time employment, marriage, a distal amputation, an amputation of traumatic etiology, and an absence of PLP. Less use was associated with reports that prosthesis use worsened RLP, and greater prosthesis use was associated with reports that prosthesis use did not affect PLP. Having a proximal amputation and reporting lower average PLP were related to greater use in hours per day for persons with an ULA, while having a distal amputation and being married were associated with greater use in days per month. Finally, participants with LLA were significantly more likely to wear a prosthesis than those with ULA. These results underscore the importance of examining factors related to prosthesis use and the differential effect that these variables may have when the etiology and location of amputation are considered.

BACKGROUND The current study evaluated the efficacy of a 10‐week, group‐based, cognitive‐behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention relative to a half‐day seminar in improving quality of life (QoL) among men who were treated for localized prostate carcinoma (PC) with either radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiation therapy. METHODS Ninety‐two men were assigned randomly to either the 10‐week CBSM group intervention or a 1‐day seminar (control group). The intervention was designed to improve QoL by helping participants to identify and effectively manage stressful experiences and was focused on the treatment‐related sequelae of PC. RESULTS A hierarchical regression model was used to predict postintervention QoL. The final model, including all predictors and relevant covariates (i.e., income, baseline QoL, ethnicity, and group condition), explained 62.1% of the variance in QoL scores. Group assignment was a significant predictor (β = − 0.14; P = 0.03) of QoL after the 10‐week intervention period, even after controlling for ethnicity, income, and baseline QoL. Post‐hoc analyses revealed that individuals in the CBSM intervention condition showed significant improvements in QoL relative to men in the 1‐day control seminar. Improved QoL was mediated by greater perceived stress‐management skill. CONCLUSIONS A 10‐week cognitive‐behavioral group intervention was effective in improving the QoL in men treated for PC, and these changes were associated significantly with intervention‐associated increases in perceived stress‐management skills. Cancer 2004;100:192–200. © 2003 American Cancer Society.