Physical Activity and Percussive Massage Therapy for Reducing Pain in Older Women

Principal Investigator: Shiyu Li (U-M Post-Doctoral Scholar)

 

Therabody

 

Pain is a common and disabling condition, affecting 1.5 billion people worldwide. Chronic pain is especially prevalent in women and older adults; over 63% of women aged 65+ report chronic pain. Yet this population has been understudied. Two evidence-based strategies hold promise for managing pain in older women: physical activity and percussive massage therapy . Self-monitoring, the practice of recalling and recording a desired behavior regularly, is a widely adopted, evidence-based technique that supports behavior change. Yet, self-monitoring can be burdensome and difficult to maintain. Previous research found that engagement in self-monitoring within the first month may have long-lasting effects, but individuals typically disengage during early weeks. This research will answer the question, “Should a daily self-monitoring intervention focus on physical activity, percussive massage therapy, or both to promote engagement in those behaviors and reduce pain intensity and interference in older women?”