Journal article
Sedentary Time, Light Physical Activity Intensity, and Pain Severity: Findings From the Ghana Study on Aging
Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, Vol.First online(6-9)
12/11/2025
PMID: 41231166
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Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this population-based study was to examine whether sedentary behavior (SB) and light physical activity intensity (LPA) are associated with pain in older adults. A further aim is to investigate the psychosomatic complaints as mediators between SB and pain.
Methods: Individuals aged ≥50 from the 2018 Study on Aging, Health, and Health-seeking Behavior reported on SB and LPA using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and pain severity using a cross-culturally validated item from the bodily pain subscale of the MOS SF-36. Multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the associations of SB and LPA with pain. Bootstrapping analyses assessed whether psychosomatic complaints mediate the association between SB and pain.
Results: Among 1201 participants (mean ± SD age = 66.1 ± 11.9 years; women = 63.3%), the prevalence of SB and pain was 21.4% and 43.0%, respectively. Compared with <8 h/d, ≥8 h/d of SB was positively associated with pain (OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.71-3.42). However, LPA was associated with 11% lower odds of reporting pain (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.81-0.98). Self-rated health (41.2%), anxiety (23.5%), comorbidity (20.6%), functional limitations (17.6%), depression (13.2%), and sleep problems (11.8%) were associated with pain and mediated the SB-pain link.
Conclusions: The present study observed that SB and LPA were associated with pain in older adults residing in Ghana, and psychosomatic complaints were identified as potential mechanisms in the pathway between SB and pain. Managing the pain burden in old age may require shifting the 24-hour behavior from SB to LPA and addressing the inherent psychosomatic complaints.
Details
- Title
- Sedentary Time, Light Physical Activity Intensity, and Pain Severity: Findings From the Ghana Study on Aging
- Creators
- Razak M Gyasi - African Population and Health Research CenterSimon Boateng - Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial DevelopmentBarnabas Addai Amanfo - Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial DevelopmentBenedict Osei Asibey - Charles Sturt UniversityDaniel Offei - Central UniversitySimon Mariwah - University of Cape CoastAndré Hajek - University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfLee Smith - Anglia Ruskin UniversityDavid R Phillips - Lingnan University
- Publication Details
- Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, Vol.First online(6-9)
- Publisher
- National University of Health Sciences; NEW YORK
- Grant note
- Lingnan University, Hong Kong: RPG1129310
This work was supported by Lingnan University, Hong Kong [grant numbers: RPG1129310] , to Razak M. Gyasi (https:// www.ln.edu.hk/aboutlu/introducinglingnan) . The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or manuscript preparation. The authors declare no conflict of interest in the publication of this paper.
- Identifiers
- 991013330007202368
- Copyright
- © 2025 by National University of Health Sciences.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article