Perception of pain and its impact on quality of life in individuals over 65 with foot pain

ABSTRACT "Perception of Pain and Its Impact on Quality of Life in Individuals Over 65 with Foot Pain", Trakya University, Institute of Health Science, Health Science Department, Master Thesis, Edirne, 2025. Background and Aim: The objective of this study is to examine the impact of foot pain on the quality of life in individuals over the age of 65. By determining the prevalence of foot pain in the elderly population and its effects on daily activities, emotional status, and general health perception, the study aims to provide recommendations for clinical practice. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample group consisting of 120 patients over the age of 65 with foot pain, hospitalized in the Physical Therapy Clinic of Trakya University Medical Faculty Hospital, was used. Participants were selected voluntarily based on predefined criteria and included in the study. The patient's demographic data were recorded, and the SF-36, SRS-22 questionnaires, the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, and the Short Form of the Aging Perception Questionnaire were used to assess pain and quality of life. The questionnaires were administered face-to-face with the participants, and the data were analyzed. Statistical analyses included the Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses, and chi-square tests. A p-value of <0.05 was considered the threshold for statistical significance. Results: The findings of the study demonstrated that foot pain has a negative impact on the quality of life of elderly individuals (p<0.05). Individuals with higher pain scores were found to have poorer quality of life and a more negative perception of aging. According to the results of the SF-36, SRS-22, and the Aging Perception Questionnaire, a significant and negative relationship was found between pain level and quality of life. The level of physical activity was found to be low, independent of the pain level. Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that foot pain significantly affects the quality of life and perception of aging in individuals over the age of 65. Effective management of foot pain is crucial for improving the quality of life in elderly individuals. Therefore, it is recommended to develop and implement pain management programs in clinical practice.