The Effect of a Peer-Led Non-Pharmacological Pain-Management Program on Chronic Pain Intensity and Pain-Related Self-Efficacy in Older Adults with Osteoarthritis: A Quasi- Experimental Study

Authors

1 Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifer, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;

2 Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;

3 Geriatrics Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran;

4 Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran

10.30476/ijcbnm.2026.102702.2506

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability among the elderly, characterized by
chronic pain and functional limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a peer-led, nonpharmacological
pain management program on pain-related self-efficacy and chronic pain severity in
older adults with osteoarthritis.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2020 in two healthcare centers in Mashhad, Iran.
Sixty elderly individuals with chronic osteoarthritis were assigned to intervention (n=30) and control (n=30)
groups. The intervention group received four 90-minute peer-led training sessions over two weeks, facilitated
by trained elderly peers under the researcher’s supervision. Pain intensity and pain-related self-efficacy were
measured using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire at baseline and
at 8-week follow-up after completion of the intervention. Data analysis was performed using paired and
independent t-test in SPSS version 21. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Two months after the intervention, between-group comparison showed that there is a
statistically significant difference in terms of pain-related self-efficacy (P<0.001). Two months after
the intervention, between-group comparison in terms of total pain score (P<0.001) and the scores of its
dimensions including sensory-discriminative (P=0.009) and affective (P<0.001) showed a statistically
significant difference.
Conclusion: The peer-led pain management program effectively reduces pain and enhances self-efficacy
in elderly individuals with osteoarthritis in the intervention group. Implementing such programs,
which promote mental control and social engagement, is recommended for improved outcomes.

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