Mindfulness and its Application for Older Adults with Chronically Painful Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis, a chronic condition resulting in considerable disability, particularly in later life, not only impacts life quality significantly and severely, but is associated with intense bouts of chronic pain and pain flares. The first aim of this review article was to summarize, synthesize, and examine the research base concerning the nature of osteoarthritis, followed by evidence that mindfulness as applied to aging adults with this condition, is likely to be highly efficacious for improving their life quality and joint status in general. A second aim was to provide directives for health educators and others who work or are likely to work with this population at this time and in the near future in the event no effective cure or approach is forthcoming. The article specifically focuses on examining the idea and possible efficacy of various forms of mindfulness as an adjunctive intervention strategy for minimizing arthritis disability, and for fostering independence and life quality. To this end, the author attempted to include a broad overview of all relevant articles published in the English language on the topic, rather than any systematic review. Collectively, these data reveal that while more research may be helpful, mindfulness practiced widely in Asia for many centuries-may be a useful intervention strategy for older adults in the community diagnosed as having osteoarthritis. They specifically suggest health educators and others working with people diagnosed as having osteoarthritis can safely recommend this approach to most people with this condition with the expectation that consistent practices will be protective in multiple ways, as well as heightening their life quality and overall health status.