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They noted that many older people have experienced a decrease in social activity outside their home because of the pain.
"The appearance of pain can often lead to a downward spiral of social isolation and depression"
Shannon Ang
This isolation has been detrimental to healthy aging, because of its negative impact on cognitive function and mental well-being, noted the authors of the University of Michigan study.
They also noted that older adults who were experiencing pain and who were later isolated from face-to-face communication increased their risk of loneliness and depression.
Their study focused on the cycle of pain leading to a loss of motivation of older people for social interaction, increasing the risk of depression, further decreasing motivation for social activity.
To determine the impact of social media on this cycle, researchers surveyed more than 3,400 participants over 65, focusing on their overall use of social media.
"Our results could possibly be extended to other forms of conditions"
Shannon Ang
The results, published in Gerontology journals, found that the use of social media reduced the risk of depression in cases where social interaction had been inhibited by pain.
In addition, researchers have suggested that the use of social media could even preserve cognitive function and psychological well-being.
Lead author Shannon Ang of Shannon Ang said, "It's crucial because the onset of pain can often lead to a downward spiral of social isolation and depression, with adverse consequences for people's health. elderly.
"Our results could eventually be extended to other forms of diseases (chronic diseases, functional limitations, for example) that, like pain, also limit physical activity outside the home" she added.
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