University of Limerick research reveals community exercise can help tackle chronic pain

UL research through, The ComExPain trial, reveals community exercise can help tackle chronic pain. Pictured at the event were, Dr Mairéad Conneely, School of Allied Health, UL and Professor Karen McCreesh, School of Allied Health, UL. Picture: Alan Place

New University of Limerick (UL) research, The ComExPain trial, has revealed how exercise in the community can help tackle chronic pain

The ComExPain trial at University of Limerick (UL), supported by Limerick Sports Partnership, Chronic Pain Ireland, and funded by the Health Research Board, is a community-based study focused on supporting older adults living with musculoskeletal pain.

Following a public callout, over 90 adults from the Mid-West signed up to participate in this research, which explored how specialised exercise classes delivered in local settings could support older people living with chronic pain.

Chronic pain affects one-third of all older Irish adults and significantly negatively affects a person’s daily function and quality of life. The societal and healthcare costs of chronic pain have been estimated at €5.34 billion per year in Ireland.

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Physical activity is widely recommended to help manage chronic pain and improve overall health, but for many older adults, barriers such as safety concerns, lack of skilled support, and limited opportunities make it challenging to stay active. The aim of this project has been to fill this gap.

Yoga, pilates and aqua classes were delivered by UL-trained trainers from Limerick Sports Partnership over six to eight weeks in venues across Limerick.

Professor Karen McCreesh, Principal Investigator on the ComExPain trial and Professor of Physiotherapy at UL’s School of Allied Health said, “This research highlights the importance of community involvement in pain research and demonstrated how a collaborative approach can empower older adults to improve their health and well-being.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who took part – from the participants to our funders in the HRB and our fantastic partners in Limerick Sports Partnership and Chronic Pain Ireland. Their collaboration has been vital in ensuring this project has had a meaningful impact.

“It is hoped that the success of this feasibility study will lead to a rollout of similar classes nationwide.

We look forward to building on this work to expand opportunities for people living with chronic pain to stay active and supported in their communities,” Professor McCreesh added.

At an event hosted by UL, researchers, participants, and local partners gathered to celebrate the work of those who took part in the study. and highlight the impact of the research.

The findings of this feasibility study show that this project has been a huge success in helping people become active, improve exercise habits, build confidence, and support social interaction.
 

Many of those who took part in the classes reported improvements in their pain levels and ability to do daily activities. Participants registered more than 70 per cent attendance at the classes, which exceeds the usual adherence to exercise interventions such as this. Taking part in the classes empowered the participants to become active for the first time in many years, and for many to sustain their involvement in physical activity after the project had ended.
The classes have been sustained as part of the Limerick Sports Partnership suite of programmes.

Participants also praised the positive exercise experience, the expertise of the trainers and research team in supporting their needs, as well as the peer support from fellow participants.

Ryan Meaney, Physical Activity for Health Officer at Limerick Sports Partnership explained the importance of collaborating with the ComExPain research team.

“Supporting people living with chronic health conditions is a growing part of our work through the Physical Activity for Health project. ComExPain complements this perfectly, helping us use research to deliver programmes that make a real difference in our community.”

Retired Detective Garda Jim Browne from Ballyneety Men’s Shed was very active in his youth, playing Gaelic football for Limerick and winning five senior championships with his club, Claughaun. He has suffered from chronic pain following multiple surgeries on his knee. He and a group from the men’s shed participated in the aqua classes held in St Gabriel’s hydrotherapy pool in Limerick.

He explained: “We took part in the research from start to finish and were thrilled to have a role in an academic study. There was massive participation from all our members, who are in their 70s and 80s, and everyone felt the benefit of the exercise in alleviating their pain.

“Since then, it has been a catalyst for us to engage in further activity, including yoga and strength and conditioning, so we’re really pleased that the ComExPain trial was an opportunity for our group to participate in exercise in a safe environment.”

Mary Vaughan of the Killaloe-Ballina Active Age Group also participated in the aqua classes at St Gabriel’s hydrotherapy pool.
 
“I suffer severely with arthritis and have lost the ability to walk very far as a result. This programme got me physically moving again. After the eight weeks of classes, I was motivated to take up swimming again, and I have since joined my local leisure centre. The exercise is now keeping me agile.”

Martina Phelan, Chair of Chronic Pain Ireland, remarked on how sharing stories and science can shift how society supports those living with chronic pain, “At Chronic Pain Ireland, we believe that every person living with persistent pain deserves not only to be heard but to be supported with understanding, respect and access to meaningful interventions. The ComExPain trial is an inspiring example of how community-based exercise, guided by knowledgeable and empathetic professionals, can turn possibility into empowerment.”