10/23/2026
Low back pain and sleep problems are common in older adults, and a new systematic review suggests they are more connected than many clinicians may realize. In adults aged 60 and older, chronic low back pain was consistently associated with poorer sleep quality, though the relationship was modest in size.
What the Review Found:
This systematic review included 13 studies, but only 5 were retained for the final synthesis after risk-of-bias assessment. Across those studies, the pattern was consistent: older adults with chronic low back pain tended to report poorer sleep, more difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and less refreshing sleep...
Read more about sleep and back problems: https://ow.ly/5Au55100BNU
A new systematic review shows chronic low back pain and poor sleep quality are linked in older adults — and the relationship may go both ways.