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THE IMPACT OF SELF-EFFICACY ON BMI AND CHRONIC PAIN IN OLDER ADULTS:THE MORPH TRIAL

Abstract

BACKGROUND & Objective: Pain is a pressing health concern that powerfully affects quality of life. One input to pain is body weight, which can affect pain through both mechanical loading and inflammation. A key input to dietary weight loss is self-efficacy, and herein we present for the first time the longitudinal relationships between self-efficacy and BMI in older adults with chronic pain. METHODS: Participants were enrolled in the 12 week MORPH randomized control trial that focused on reducing pain and improving health in a group of 25 older adults (76% female, 70.41+/-4.76 years of age). Intervention participants attended weekly group sessions primarily via videoconference focused on nutrition, mindfulness, and community interaction. Participants self-monitored body weight and activity patterns via a smartphone app that integrated data from a smart scale and activity monitor. Control participants received the scale and monitor to account for any impact of device provision on health behaviors. RESULTS: A linear regression demonstrated that group assignment and increases in self-efficacy for managing eating were independently associated with reductions in BMI over 12 weeks (p=.018 and p = .035 respectively). Improvements in self-efficacy were also associated with reductions in pain intensity (p = .032). CONCLUSION: In the long-term, we hope to better equip individuals with tools to improve their lifestyle and in turn better the health of the country. These results underscore the importance of enhancing self-efficacy related to key health behaviors for managing body weight and pain in older adults with chronic pain.

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