Overview
Pain Management in Older Adults: Pain significantly impacts the well-being of older adults, often leading to diminished physical abilities and a reduced quality of life. Despite this, pain management remains suboptimal, with concerns about medication side effects and a tendency to view pain as a natural aspect of aging. Consequently, many seniors are hesitant to use painkillers. As an alternative, non-pharmacological strategies such as educational programs, physical activity, massage, relaxation techniques, and music therapy are gaining traction.
Innovative Non-Drug Solutions: To improve participation in non-medication pain relief methods, we suggest incorporating gaming elements into these programs (GAP). Originating in digital media in 2008, gamification has since spread across various industries. It involves adding game-like elements to activities to boost engagement, experience, and motivation.
Project Goals: The aims of this initiative include creating a web-based Gamified Pain Management Program (GAP), engaging older adults with chronic pain in the development of GAP, and gathering their feedback on the program's effectiveness.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged 60 or above
- Can understand Cantonese
- Scored >6 in the Abbreviated Mental Test; a cut-off point of 6 is valid for differentiating between normal and abnormal cognitive functions in geriatric clients
- Have a history of non-cancer pain in the past 6 months
- Have a pain score of at least 2 on the Numeric Rating Scale
- Able to take part in light exercise and stretching
- Owns a smartphone and can access the Internet
Exclusion Criteria:
- Have severe visual and/or auditory deficits that affect that seeing and hearing
- Have a serious organic disease or malignant tumor
- Have a mental disorder diagnosed by neurologists or psychiatrists
- Had a surgical treatment in the past two months
- Experienced drug addiction