Stress Reactivity and Low Back Pain in Older Adults: Influences on Disability (ReLOAD)
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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This application for the Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (K76) is for Dr. Corey Simon, a physical therapist and geriatric pain researcher specializing in low back pain. Low back pain is one of the world’s most disabling conditions for older adults, with more than 75% reporting persistent disability 1-2 years after onset. A novel disability mechanism among older adults with low back pain is high stress reactivity, which is an acute physiologic response characterized by abnormal changes in blood biomarkers after stressful encounters. High stress reactivity is linked to poorer health outcomes including disability in other chronic conditions; and accumulating research suggests high stress reactivity is mediated by abnormal thoughts and feelings and is modifiable through biobehavioral interventions. However, stress reactivity research in older adults with low back pain is lacking. This proposal in an innovative 5-year research program that builds upon Dr. Simon’s pilot study demonstrating exciting preliminary associations between stress reactivity, physical function, and psychological distress. This proposal will utilize novel laboratory stress reactivity tests, patient-reported outcomes, and qualitative interviews to: 1) Identify and quantify stress reactivity in older adults with low back pain; and 2) For the purpose of reducing disability risks, develop a biobehavioral intervention that targets high stress reactivity in older adults with low back pain. This program will test his central hypothesis that older adults with low back pain and high stress reactivity are at greater risk for disability due to negative thoughts and feelings and poor coping strategies. In addition, this program will provide Dr. Simon with advanced career development in stress reactivity science, behavioral intervention development, and research leadership. Upon completion of this program, Dr. Simon will be poised to facilitate the development of an NIA-funded clinical trial (R34/R01) to test the efficacy of his innovative biobehavioral rehabilitation intervention for older adults with low back pain that targets high stress reactivity. Collectively, this program is the next step in Dr. Simon’s long-term goal to become an international leader in the development of targeted interventions to eradicate disability in older adults with low back pain.
