Development and psychometric evaluation of the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale

Pain prediction model based on machine learning and SHAP values for elders with dementia in Taiwan

INTRODUCTION

Pain conditions are common in elderly individuals, including those with dementia. However, symptoms associated with dementia may lead to poor recognition, assessment and management of pain. In this study, we incorporated the variables based on questionnaires into a machine learning algorithm to build a prediction model for the pain index of elderly individuals with dementia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 113 cases were collected through questionnaires and used to build prediction models for the patient's pain index. Three machine learning algorithms were incorporated for comparison in this study. To interpret the prediction model, SHapley additive explanations values were used to depict the ranking importance of variables and the relationship between features and pain index.

RESULTS

In the comparison of models, random forests with feature selection outperformed in terms of root mean square error and mean absolute error. A total of 11 features were selected based on embedded method. The results showed that the Karnofsky scale played a key role in predicting pain index for elderly individuals with dementia and was positively associated with pain index. Arthritis is the most important disease to predicting the pain index.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provided the key insights to predict the pain index of elderly patients with dementia. In the future, it can be used to develop an application system or webpage, which can reduce the use of labour and improve the efficiency.

Physiological Biomarkers for Assessment of Pain during Routine Blood Tests for Older Adults with Dementia in Long-Term Residential Care

OBJECTIVE

Evaluating pain in individuals with dementia can be difficult when verbal communication is limited. Vocalization has emerged as a potential avenue for assessments of pain in nonverbal populations. This study aimed to evaluate if physiological assessments of vocalization were correlated with observational assessments of pain during routine blood tests for persons with dementia.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Sixty older adults (aged ≥65 years old) with dementia requiring routine finger puncture and peripheral venipuncture for routine blood tests were recruited by purposive sampling from 3 long-term care facilities in Taiwan.

METHODS

Observational assessments were conducted with the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) instrument; physiological biomarkers of vocalization were assessed with a noninvasive sensing device and microphone (NISDM). Assessments were conducted simultaneously in one session during situations of increasing pain levels: at rest, making a sound, finger puncture, and peripheral venipuncture. PAINAD scores were compared with signal recording measures from the NISDM. Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficient assessed correlations between observational and physiological measures.

RESULTS

Most participants were female (63.3%); mean age was 81.27 years (SD = 9.69); Clinical Dementia Rating was 2.23 ± 0.70; and Mini-Mental State Examination was 7.07 ± 6.95. Signal recording measures using the NISDM during finger puncture and venipuncture were significantly greater compared with measures at rest and making sound, indicating higher signal levels were associated with pain. PAINAD scores were significantly correlated with physiological measures for vocalization variables of sound amplitude (r = 0.49, P < .001), shimmer (r = 0.63, P < .001), and inhalation-to-exhalation amplitude ratio (r = 0.48, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Elevated vocalizations detected with the NISDM were correlated with increased pain scores on the PAINAD instrument. Physiological measures of pain using novel vocalization biomarkers have the potential to enhance the quality of care for individuals with dementia and limited communication abilities.

Nurses' knowledge and beliefs on pain management practices with hospitalised persons living with dementia: A qualitative descriptive study

AIM

To understand nurses' knowledge, beliefs and experiences affect pain management practices in hospitalised persons living with dementia (PLWD).

DESIGN

Naturalistic inquiry using qualitative descriptive design.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 registered nurses who worked in one acute care hospital in Southern California from October to November 2022. Data were analysed using content analysis to identify themes.

RESULTS

Two themes were developed: improvising pain assessment, which included how pain was documented, and administration hesitancy referring to nurse's concerns about PLWD's confusion. Nurses described the challenges of assessing pain in hospitalised PLWD particularly if they were non-verbal and/or demonstrating responsive behaviours. Nurse's years of experience, dementia stigma, and their unconscious biases affected nurses' pain management practices.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings highlight the complex challenges of pain management in hospitalised PLWD that are exacerbated by nurses' knowledge deficits, negative stereotypical beliefs, dementia stigma and unconscious biases towards older people that contributes to undermanaged pain in hospitalised PLWD.

IMPLICATIONS

A comprehensive strategy using an implementation framework is needed to address nurse's knowledge gaps, unconscious bias, dementia stigma and techniques that enhance communication skills is suggested. Building a foundation in these areas would improve pain management in hospitalised PLWD.

IMPACT

Improving pain management in hospitalised PLWD would improve the quality of life, decrease hospital length of stay, prevent readmissions, and improve nurse satisfaction.

REPORTING METHOD

The study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

PATIENT CONTRIBUTIONS

Improving pain management in hospitalised PLWD would prevent long term confusion, episodes of delirium and improve quality of life as they recover from their acute illness for which they required hospital care.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and adverse patient outcomes post-hospitalization

OBJECTIVES

The occurrence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are associated with adverse outcomes but have largely been studied in populations outside of acute care. The current study examines (1) the prevalence of BPSD during acute hospitalization and (2) if BPSD are predictive of adverse patient outcomes.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of Family-centered Function-focused Care (Fam-FFC) data including 461 patients with dementia/care partner dyads assessed at hospital admission, discharge, 2 months, and 6 months post-discharge, was conducted. Prevalence of BPSD (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire total and Frontal, Hyperactivity, Mood, and Psychosis sub-categories), associations with patient and care partner characteristics, and prediction of adverse events (falls, emergency room [ER] visits, hospitalizations, injury) were examined.

RESULTS

BPSD were highly prevalent (93.9% admission, 86.7% discharge). The most common symptom cluster at admission was Hyperactivity (76.7%) followed by Mood (72.3%) and Psychosis (71.9%), and Frontal (25.9%). Higher admission Hyperactivity was associated with ER admissions at 2 months, higher discharge Hyperactivity was associated with ER admissions and hospitalizations at 2 months, and change in Psychosis was associated with ER admissions at 2 months.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight BPSD during hospitalization as potentially modifiable risk factors of adverse outcomes.

The prevalence of, and factors associated with, a risk of depression in residential aged care services residents: Findings from the FIRST study

OBJECTIVES

Depression is common amongst Australian residential aged care services (RACS) residents. This study aimed to estimate the risk of depression amongst residents and identify factors associated with this risk. In care settings such as RACS, time-efficient screening tools to identify depression risk may be a preferred tool.

METHODS

The two-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2), derived from the nine-item PHQ-9 used commonly in the United States (US), was employed in this study. A resident was identified as being at risk of depression where the score was ≥3. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with being at risk of depression.

RESULTS

Residents' mean age was 87.7 (standard deviation: 7.3) years and 73% were female. One-fifth of residents (n = 108 or 20%) were at risk of depression. Age (odds ratio [OR] 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93-0.99); Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) score (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.11-2.16); Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.13); and 38-item Frailty Index (FI) score (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.10) were significantly associated with being at risk of depression, whilst sex, urinary incontinence, polypharmacy, Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS) and Nursing Home Life Space Diameter (NHLSD) score were not.

CONCLUSIONS

One in five residents were at risk of depression. Younger age, higher pain, higher daytime sleepiness and higher frailty status were associated with depressive risk. Future studies focusing on interventions targeting these factors may contribute to improved health outcomes.

Assessing pain in older people with normal, mildly impaired or severely impaired cognition

Pain is a relatively common experience among older people, but unrelieved pain has significant functional, cognitive and emotional consequences for this population. A comprehensive and accurate pain assessment is essential for effective pain management. Self-report tools are suitable to assess pain in older people with normal or mildly impaired cognition, while observational tools are suitable for use with those with significant cognitive impairment or communication difficulties. However, pain assessment in older people can be challenging. The use of one tool on its own is rarely sufficient and it is crucial to involve family carers in assessment of pain in older people with severe cognitive impairment. This article discusses different tools and strategies, including the benefits and limitations, for assessing pain in older people.

How to undertake a pain assessment for -patients with acute post-operative pain

RATIONALE AND KEY POINTS

Acute post-operative pain is common among patients in secondary care settings, and the alleviation of this pain is a principal responsibility for all healthcare professionals, including nurses. To achieve this, it is essential to regularly undertake comprehensive pain assessments, using validated pain assessment tools, for all patients who have undergone a surgical procedure. Inadequate pain assessment may lead to ineffective or inappropriate pain management, which can adversely affect the patient's recovery and increase their risk of developing chronic pain. •  Pain is a subjective experience and therefore requires individualised, comprehensive assessment and management interventions. •  The assessment process for patients with acute pain is fundamental to understanding the patient's current status, informing differential diagnoses regarding the underlying cause of the pain, providing appropriate treatment and monitoring, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. •  Pain assessment should not be undertaken as a one-off care activity; it should be completed whenever a patient reports pain and repeated following pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological interventions. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help you to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: •  How this article might improve your practice when undertaking a comprehensive pain assessment with patients experiencing acute post-operative pain. •  How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues on the appropriate actions to take when undertaking a comprehensive pain assessment with patients experiencing acute post-operative pain.

Testing the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Meaningful Activity for Managing Behavioral Symptoms of Distress (MAC-4-BSD) intervention for residents with dementia in assisted living: Protocol description

The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the protocol for an Alzheimer's Association-funded cluster randomized trial that focuses on engaging assisted living residents with dementia in meaningful activity to help address their behavioral symptoms of distress using a theoretically based approach, Meaningful Activity for Managing Behavioral Symptoms of Distress (MAC-4-BSD). The development of MAC-4-BSD was based on the Social Ecological Model and Social Cognitive Theory. The MAC-4-BSD intervention includes the following four steps: (1) Assessment of the assisted living physical environment and policies to facilitate meaningful activity; (2) Education of staff about implementation of meaningful activity; (3) Assessment of resident preferences and goals for meaningful activity; (4) Mentoring and motivating staff and residents to facilitate engagement in meaningful activity. The overall aim of this study will be to determine the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of implementing the MAC-4-BSD intervention and test whether it will improve residents' engagement in meaningful activity, behavioral symptoms of distress, and quality of life as well as the environment and policies to promote meaningful activity in assisted living.

Enhancing Emergency Department Pain Management for Older Adults with the Hip Fracture Fast-Track (HFFT) Protocol in a Middle-Income Country

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Hip Fracture Fast-Track (HFFT) protocol, designed specifically for older patients at our hospital, which commenced on January 1, 2022, on the management of emergency department (ED) pain in older adults with hip fractures.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective pre- and post-study data from electronic health records (EHR) at our hospital, using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes S72.0, S72.1, S72.8, and S72.9, were utilized. The study included patients aged 65 years or older who presented to the ED with low-energy, non-pathologic isolated hip fractures or proximal femur fractures. The pre-HFFT period included patients from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021, and the post-HFFT period included patients from January 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023. Data were compared for the proportion of patients undergoing pain evaluation in the ED, before discharge, time to first analgesia, number of patients receiving pain relief in the ED, and the use of fascia iliaca compartment blocks (FICBs) and pericapsular nerve group blocks (PENGBs).

Results

The final analysis involved 258 patients, with 116 in the pre-protocol group and 142 in the post-protocol group. The rate of analgesic use increased significantly in the post-HFFT group (78 [67.24%] vs 111 [78.17%], P = 0.049). The rate of pain score screening at triage increased from 51.72% before the HFFT protocol to 86.62% post-HFFT protocol (p < 0.001). Compared with the pre-HFFT protocol, the post-HFFT protocol exhibited a higher rate of FICB (0% vs 14.08%, p < 0.001) and PENGB (0% vs 5.63%, p = 0.009) administration.

Conclusion

The HFFT protocol's implementation was associated with improved ED pain evaluation and analgesic administration in older adults with hip fractures. These findings indicate that tailored protocols, such as the HFFT, hold promise for enhancing emergency care for this vulnerable population.

Pain in Dementia: An Empirical Test of a Common Assumption

Numerous, and often largely overlapping, observational pain assessment tools have been developed specifically to assess pain in older adults with dementia under the assumption that a specialized approach is necessary to evaluate pain in this population. However, this assumption has never been tested empirically. As an empirical test of this implicit assumption, our goal was to compare existing tools for people living with dementia (with respect to psychometric properties), not only against each other, but also against a tool developed for a different population with cognitive impairments. Videos of older adults with severe dementia recorded in long-term care settings were coded for pain behaviors in the laboratory. Trained coders coded pain behaviors in video segments of older adults with dementia during a quiet baseline condition as well as during a physical examination (designed to identify painful areas), using various observational pain assessment tools. An observational measure of agitation was employed to facilitate the assessment of discriminant validity. Consistent with our expectations, all pain tools (including the tool developed for younger people with cognitive impairments) successfully differentiated between painful and nonpainful states, with large effect sizes. This was the first study to compare tools specifically developed to assess pain in people living with dementia to a tool developed for a different population. Given that all tools under study showed satisfactory psychometric properties when tested on persons with dementia, this study suggests that the assumption that different tools are necessary for different populations with cognitive impairments cannot be taken for granted. PERSPECTIVE: This article challenges an implicitly held assumption that specialized tools are needed to assess pain in different populations with cognitive impairments. Given commonalities in pain expression across populations, further research is needed to determine whether population-specific tools are needed.

Registered nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices of pain management for aged care residents with dementia: an integrative review

AIM

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Registered Nurses working in residential aged care facilities pertaining to pain management for residents living with dementia.

BACKGROUND

Sub-optimal pain management continues for people living with dementia in residential aged care. Registered Nurses are the pivotal staff responsible for complex assessment and management of people residing in residential aged care facilities.

DESIGN AND METHODS

:This integrative literature review was informed by Whittemore (2005). Searching and screening followed the PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

Thirteen papers were identified, the major themes identified were gaps in knowledge and skills, uncertainty of assessment, and delays in treatment.

CONCLUSION

Registered Nurses require education on pain management for people living with dementia in residential aged care. Broader issues in residential aged care contribute to the problem and require examination. Research pertaining to Registered Nurses' roles pain management for residents living with dementia is required.

The impact of melatonin on postoperative delirium in geriatric patients after colorectal surgery: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The current study was designed to evaluate the role of prophylactic melatonin administration in reducing delirium occurrence in elderly patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgeries.

METHODS

One hundred patients of both genders undergoing elective colorectal cancer surgeries under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into two equal groups. A treatment group of patients (Melatonin group) received five mg of melatonin the night before surgery, twelve hours before the scheduled surgery time, and an additional five mg of melatonin two hours before surgery. The control group of patients received placebo tablets at the same time points. Delirium score, sedation score, pain score, hemodynamics, oxygen saturation, and blood requirements were recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients (56%) in the control group versus 18 (36%) in the melatonin group developed delirium (P=0.045), OR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.013-5.05. Five patients (18%) in the control group versus six (33%) ‎in the melatonin group developed delirium on discharge from the ‎recovery room (P=0.749), OR=1.22, 95% CI: 0.34-4.31, while 23 patients (82%) in the control group versus ‎‎12 (66%) in the melatonin group developed delirium six hours postoperative (P=0.021), OR=1.705, 95% CI: 1.02-2.81 ‎with higher nursing delirium screening score in the control group 2 (1, 4) versus 1 (0, 2) in the melatonin group (P=0.002), 95% CI: 1.77-2.71.

CONCLUSIONS

The prophylactic administration of melatonin may decrease the incidence of postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing colorectal surgeries under general anesthesia.

Operationalizing the Intolerable Suffering Criterion in Advance Requests for Medical Assistance in Dying for People Living with Dementia in Canada

In Canada, there is interest in expanding medical assistance in dying (MAID) to include advance requests (AR) for people living with dementia (PLWD). However, operationalizing the intolerable suffering criterion for MAID in ARs for PLWD is complicated by the Canadian legal context-in which MAID is understood as a medical intervention and suffering is conceptualized as subjective-and the degenerative nature of dementia. ARs that express a wish to receive MAID when the PLWD develops pre-specified impairments are problematic because people are unlikely to accurately predict the conditions that will cause intolerable suffering. ARs that express a wish to receive MAID when the PLWD exhibits pre-specified behaviors that likely represent suffering are problematic because they are inconsistent with the subjective conceptualization of suffering. Further research is required to determine whether adopting an objective conceptualization of suffering is justified in these cases and, if so, how to reliably identify intolerable suffering in PLWD.

End-of-Life Care of Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias

End-of-life (EOL) care has been a common option for patients with terminal medical conditions such as cancers. However, the utilization of EOL care in Alzheimer disease and other dementing conditions have become available relatively recently. As the end-stage dementia approaches, the clinicians and caregivers become faced with numerous clinical challenges-delirium, neuropbehavioral symptoms, the patient's inability to communicate pain and associated discomfort, food refusal, and so on. In addition to providing quality clinical care to the EOL patients, clinicians should pay special attention to their families, assuring that their loved ones will receive supportive measures to improve quality of life (QOL).

The association between patient engagement and quality of care interactions among acute care patients with dementia

Effective staff-patient communication is critical in acute care settings, particularly for patients with dementia. Limited work has examined the impact of quality of staff-patient care interactions on patient engagement. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the quality of staff-patient care interactions were associated with active patient engagement during the interaction after controlling for relevant covariates. The study was a secondary data analysis using baseline data from the Function Focused Care for Acute Care intervention study, with a total sample of 286 patients. Descriptive statistics and a generalized linear mixed model were used. The findings indicated that there was a significant relationship between the quality of care interactions and patient engagement such that receiving positive care interactions resulted in higher odds of active patient engagement. These findings can inform future interventions and training for acute care staff to improve quality of care interactions and patient engagement.

[Pain therapy in urology-overview of current S3 guideline recommendations]

Dealing efficiently with patients suffering from pain is a central medical task. Pain, as an important function in developmental physiology, warns against damage to the body caused by external noxious agents as well as internal malfunctions and requires special attention in modern medicine. Peri- and postoperative pain is known to have a negative influence on postoperative convalescence. Treatment of tumor-related pain represents another relevant challenge in uro-oncology and palliative medicine. The updated guideline on perioperative pain therapy and palliative medicine for patients with incurable diseases or cancer is dedicated to these two topics.

Examining pain, function, behavioral symptoms and associations with engagement in meaningful activity for residents with dementia in assisted living

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with engagement in meaningful activity among residents with dementia in assisted living. We hypothesized that greater functional independence, less pain, and lower behavioral and psychological symptom severity would be associated with higher engagement in meaningful activity after controlling for residents' age, gender, comorbidities, and cognition. Understanding factors associated with engagement in meaningful activity can help to inform strategies for optimizing engagement among residents with dementia in assisted living.

METHOD

This descriptive study used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial, Meaningful Activity for Managing Behavioral Symptoms of Distress (MAC-4-BSD). Linear regression was used to examine factors associated with engagement in meaningful activity.

RESULTS

A total of 71 residents from 5 assisted living settings were included in the sample. Most participants were female (n = 52, 73%), White (n = 62, 87%), and mean age was 85 years old (SD = 8.2). Controlling for age, gender, comorbidities, and cognition, pain was significantly associated with engagement in meaningful activity (b= -2.09, p < 0.05). There were no associations found between function and behavioral symptoms with engagement in meaningful activity.

CONCLUSION

Findings from this study show that pain is a significant factor that is negatively associated with residents' engagement in meaningful activity. Ongoing research is needed to help improve pain management for residents with dementia in assisted living and support their engagement in meaningful activity.

Which Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) instruments are currently used in Germany: a survey

BACKGROUND

The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) records geriatric syndromes in a standardized manner, allowing individualized treatment tailored to the patient's needs and resources. Its use has shown a beneficial effect on the functional outcome and survival of geriatric patients. A recently published German S1 guideline for level 2 CGA provides recommendations for the use of a broad variety of different assessment instruments for each geriatric syndrome. However, the actual use of assessment instruments in routine geriatric clinical practice and its consistency with the guideline and the current state of literature has not been investigated to date.

METHODS

An online survey was developed by an expert group of geriatricians and sent to all licenced geriatricians (n = 569) within Germany. The survey included the following geriatric syndromes: motor function and self-help capability, cognition, depression, pain, dysphagia and nutrition, social status and comorbidity, pressure ulcers, language and speech, delirium, and frailty. Respondents were asked to report which geriatric assessment instruments are used to assess the respective syndromes.

RESULTS

A total of 122 clinicians participated in the survey (response rate: 21%); after data cleaning, 76 data sets remained for analysis. All participants regularly used assessment instruments in the following categories: motor function, self-help capability, cognition, depression, and pain. The most frequently used instruments in these categories were the Timed Up and Go (TUG), the Barthel Index (BI), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Limited or heterogenous assessments are used in the following categories: delirium, frailty and social status.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that the assessment of motor function, self-help capability, cognition, depression, pain, and dysphagia and nutrition is consistent with the recommendations of the S1 guideline for level 2 CGA. Instruments recommended for more frequent use include the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the WHO-5 (depression). There is a particular need for standardized assessment of delirium, frailty and social status. The harmonization of assessment instruments throughout geriatric departments shall enable more effective treatment and prevention of age-related diseases and syndromes.

A Scoping Review on Nurse's Pain Management of Older Patients with Dementia in a Hospital Environment

OBJECTIVES

Hospitalized persons living with dementia often experience unrelieved pain. Unmanaged pain during hospitalization has a significant negative effect on quality of life for persons living with dementia. Despite the central role of nurses in pain management, little is known about how nurses manage pain in this patient population in the hospital environment.

DESIGN

A scoping review explored the nurses' pain management practices when caring for persons living with dementia in a hospital setting.

DATA SOURCES AND REVIEW/ANALYSIS METHODS

After an extensive search for all available evidence on how nurses manage pain in hospitalized persons living with dementia, data were extracted on pain management methods that included assessment, intervention, effectiveness of pain management, and the barriers nurses encountered when managing pain. A descriptive content analysis was used to extract data from qualitative studies.

RESULTS

Six articles published between 2016 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria; four utilized qualitative methods, and the others used mixed-methods and quantitative study designs. A narrative description of the findings was summarized after data were categorized into pain management data elements and barriers nurses encountered when managing pain. Barriers were grouped into the subcategories of communication challenges (nurse to patient), information sharing (nurse to nurse), lack of knowledge, time constraints, and nursing stressors.

CONCLUSION

We identified six articles that met our inclusion criteria, highlighting a noticeable gap in the literature. Managing pain in this population is complex and lacks organizational support. Review findings indicate that pain management methods lack consistency and standardization, making it difficult to assess their effectiveness. Nurses also described knowledge deficits resulting in practice gaps that, when combined with barriers and challenges, result in underrecognized and undermanaged pain.

Development of an Acute Pain Assessment Tool for Patients in Post-anesthesia Care Units

BACKGROUND

Post-operative pain is a common form of acute pain. Objective pain assessment in post-anesthesia care units after surgery is useful regardless of the patient's condition.

AIMS

This study aimed to develop and evaluate an acute pain assessment tool for patients in post-anesthesia care units.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional observational study comprising two stages: scale development and psychometric evaluation.

SETTINGS

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PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS

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METHODS

Scale items were developed based on a literature review and content validity by experts. The validity and interrater reliability of the pain scale were evaluated using data from 218 patients admitted to the post-anesthesia care unit at a university hospital. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to identify the sensitivity and specificity for determining the cutoff point for acute pain.

RESULTS

We developed an objective acute pain scale, called the APA5, which ranges from 0-10 and comprises behavioral (facial and verbal expressions and body movement) and physiological (changes in heart rate and blood pressure) responses. The APA5 is valid and reliable for assessing acute pain in the recovery room. Sensitivity and specificity were acceptable when the cutoff was 2 out of 10 points.

CONCLUSIONS

The APA5 is an easy and simple tool for measuring pain in patients in post-anesthesia care units who have difficulties with self-reporting.

Understanding the association between pain and delirium in older hospital inpatients: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Delirium and pain are common in older adults admitted to hospital. The relationship between these is unclear, but clinically important. We aimed to systematically review the association between pain (at rest, movement, pain severity) and delirium in this population.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane and Web of Science were searched (January 1982-November 2022) for Medical Subject Heading terms and synonyms ('Pain', 'Analgesic', 'Delirium'). Study eligibility: (1) validated pain measure as exposure, (2) validated delirium tool as an outcome; participant eligibility: (1) medical or surgical (planned/unplanned) inpatients, (2) admission length ≥ 48 h and (3) median cohort age over 65 years. Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. We collected/calculated odds ratios (ORs) for categorical data and standard mean differences (SMDs) for continuous data and conducted multi-level random-intercepts meta-regression models. This review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO [18/5/2020] (CRD42020181346).

RESULTS

Thirty studies were selected: 14 reported categorical data; 16 reported continuous data. Delirium prevalence ranged from 2.2 to 55%. In the multi-level analysis, pain at rest (OR 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39-3.30), movement (OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.66-2.56), pain categorised as 'severe' (OR 3.42; 95% CI 2.09-5.59) and increased pain severity when measured continuously (SMD 0.33; 95% CI 0.08-0.59) were associated with an increased delirium risk. There was substantial heterogeneity in both categorical (I2 = 0%-77%) and continuous analyses (I2 = 85%).

CONCLUSION

An increase in pain was associated with a higher risk of developing delirium. Adequate pain management with appropriate analgesia may reduce incidence and severity of delirium.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Pain: A Narrative Review from Pain Assessment to Therapy

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most frequent neurodegenerative disease of the motor system that affects upper and lower motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness, spasticity, atrophy, and respiratory failure, with a life expectancy of 2-5 years after symptom onset. In addition to motor symptoms, patients with ALS have a multitude of nonmotor symptoms; in fact, it is currently considered a multisystem disease. The purpose of our narrative review is to evaluate the different types of pain, the correlation between pain and the disease's stages, the pain assessment tools in ALS patients, and the available therapies focusing above all on the benefits of cannabis use. Pain is an underestimated and undertreated symptom that, in the last few years, has received more attention from research because it has a strong impact on the quality of life of these patients. The prevalence of pain is between 15% and 85% of ALS patients, and the studies on the type and intensity of pain are controversial. The absence of pain assessment tools validated in the ALS population and the dissimilar study designs influence the knowledge of ALS pain and consequently the pharmacological therapy. Several studies suggest that ALS is associated with changes in the endocannabinoid system, and the use of cannabis could slow the disease progression due to its neuroprotective action and act on pain, spasticity, cramps, sialorrhea, and depression. Our research has shown high patients' satisfaction with the use of cannabis for the treatment of spasticity and related pain. However, especially due to the ethical problems and the lack of interest of pharmaceutical companies, further studies are needed to ensure the most appropriate care for ALS patients.

Development of a decision-support framework to support professionals and promote comfort among older hospital inpatients living with dementia

BACKGROUND

Acute hospital wards can be difficult places for many people living with dementia. Promoting comfort and wellbeing can be challenging in this environment. There is little evidence-based support for professionals working on acute care wards on how to respond to distress and maximise comfort and wellbeing among patients living with dementia.

OBJECTIVES

Our overall aim was to codesign an evidence-based easy-to-use heuristic decision-support framework, which was acceptable and practical but acknowledges the complex and acute nature of caring for patients with dementia in the hospital. This paper presents the development process and resulting framework.

METHODS

A codesign study was informed by data from (1) a literature review of the care and management of people living with dementia in acute hospitals; (2) a cohort study of comfort and discomfort in people with dementia in acute hospitals; and (3) interviews with family carers and health care professionals. We synthesised evidence from these data sources and presented to key stakeholders through codesign meetings and workshops to produce our decision-support framework.

RESULTS

The framework consists of a series of flowcharts and operates using a three-stage process of: (1) assess comfort/discomfort; (2) consider causes of discomfort; and (3) address patient needs to manage the discomfort.

CONCLUSION

Working with key stakeholders, synthesising diverse quantitative and qualitative evidence to build a clinical framework is a feasible approach to help address the needs of patients living with dementia in an acute hospital setting. The result is a framework which is now ready for evaluation and implementation.

PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

We worked closely with people living with dementia and family carers throughout this study, including the development of the study protocol with input on study development and design, through to inclusion in stakeholder workshops and codesign of the decision support framework.

Feasibility of the Palliative Care Education in Assisted Living Intervention for Dementia Care Providers: A Cluster Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) is a major cause of death in the United States. While effective interventions have been developed to deliver palliative care to nursing home residents with ADRD, little work has identified effective interventions to reach assisted living (AL) residents with dementia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

One hundred and eighteen AL residents with dementia from 10 different ALs in Florida participated. A pilot study using a cluster randomized trial was conducted, with 6 sites randomized to receive a palliative care educational intervention for staff (N = 23) to deliver care to residents; 4 sites were usual care. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed by examining recruitment, retention, and treatment fidelity at 6 months. Cohen's d statistic was used to calculate facility-level treatment effect sizes on key outcomes (documentation of advance care planning [ACP] discussions, hospice admission, and documentation of pain screening).

RESULTS

The intervention proved feasible with high ratings of treatment fidelity. The intervention also demonstrated preliminary evidence for efficacy of the intervention, with effect sizes for the treatment group over 0.80 for increases in documentation of ACP discussions compared to the control group. Hospice admissions had a smaller effect size (0.16) and documentation of pain screenings had no effect.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

The pilot results suggest that the intervention shows promise as a resource for educating and empowering AL staff on implementing person-centered palliative care delivery to persons with dementia in AL. A larger, fully powered randomized trial is needed to test for its efficacy.

Timely dying in dementia: Use patients' judgments and broaden the concept of suffering

Patients living with advanced dementia (PLADs) face several challenges to attain the goal of avoiding prolonged dying with severe suffering. One is how to determine when PLADs' current suffering becomes severe enough to cease all life-sustaining treatments, including withdrawing assistance with oral feeding and hydrating, a controversial order. This article broadens the concept of suffering by including suffering that cannot be observed contemporaneously and the suffering of loved ones. Four paradigm shifts operationalize these concepts. During advance care planning, patients can judge which future clinical conditions would cause severe suffering. To decide when to allow patients to die, treating physicians/providers only need to assess if patients have reached patients' previously judged, qualifying conditions. Questions: Will this protocol prevent PLADs' prolonged dying with suffering? Deter early-stage dementia patients from committing preemptive suicide? Sway decision-making surrogates from withholding life-sustaining treatments from patients with middle-stage dementia? Provoke providers' resistance to relinquish their traditional, unilateral authority to determine patients' suffering?

Delirium Severity and Physical Function in Hospitalized Persons Living With Dementia: Moderation by Age, Sex, and Race

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated whether demographic characteristics (age, sex, and race) moderated delirium severity as a predictor of physical function in hospitalized persons living with dementia.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 351 patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (Function Focused Care for Acute Care Using the Evidence Integration Triangle). Preliminary analysis was conducted to assess the main effect, and multiple linear regression was used to examine the moderating effect of demographic characteristics between delirium severity and physical function.

RESULTS

Both age and sex were found to have significant moderating effects on the relationship between delirium severity and physical function (β = 2.22; P = 0.02 and β = 1.34; P = 0.04, respectively). Older adults aged 85 years or older with higher levels of delirium severity reported lower levels of physical function compared with older adults aged 65 to 84 years. Males with higher levels of delirium severity reported lower levels of physical function compared with females. Race did not significantly moderate the association between delirium severity and physical function (β = 0.22; P = 0.90).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that age and sex may have differential effects on physical function across different levels of delirium severity in hospitalized persons living with dementia.

Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults Living With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Neurocognitive Disorders

IMPORTANCE

There are currently 55 million adults living with declining functional cognition-altered perception, thoughts, mood, or behavior-as the result of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). These changes affect functional performance and meaningful engagement in occupations. Given the growth in demand for services, occupational therapy practitioners benefit from consolidated evidence of effective interventions to support adults living with AD and related NCDs and their care partners.

OBJECTIVE

These Practice Guidelines outline effective occupational therapy interventions for adults living with AD and related NCDs and interventions to support their care partners.

METHOD

We synthesized the clinical recommendations from a review of recent systematic reviews.

RESULTS

Twelve systematic reviews published between 2018 and 2021 served as the foundation for the practice recommendations.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Reminiscence, exercise, nonpharmacological behavioral interventions, cognitive therapy, sensory interventions, and care partner education and training were found to be most effective to support adults living with AD and related NCDs. Plain-Language Summary: These Practice Guidelines provide strong and moderate evidence for occupational therapy practitioners to support adults living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) and their care partners. They provide specific guidance for addressing the decline in cognition, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and pain experience of adults living with AD and related NCDs. The guidelines also describe interventions to support care partners. With support from the evidence, occupational therapy practitioners are better equipped to address the unique needs of adults living with AD and related NCDs and their care partners.

Expanded nursing roles to promote person-centred care for people with cognitive impairment in acute care (ENROLE-acute): study protocol for a controlled clinical trial, process and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

For people with cognitive impairment, hospitalisation is challenging and associated with adverse events as well as negative outcomes resulting in a prolonged hospital stay. Person-centred care can improve the quality of care and the experience of people with cognitive impairment during hospitalisation. However, current care processes in German hospitals are rarely person-centred. To enable successful implementation of person-centred care on hospital wards, change agents within the interprofessional team are key. The aim of this study is to test the feasibility and initial effects of a newly developed complex person-centred care intervention for people with cognitive impairment provided by expanded practice nurses in acute care.

METHODS

We will conduct an exploratory non-randomised controlled clinical trial with accompanying process and cost evaluation with three intervention and three control wards at one university hospital. The person-centred care intervention consists of 14 components reflecting the activities of expanded practice nurses within the interprofessional team on the intervention wards. The intervention will be implemented over a six-month period and compared with optimised care on the control wards. We will include people aged 65 years and older with existing cognitive impairment and/or at risk of delirium. The estimated sample size is 720 participants. The primary outcome is length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes include prevalence of delirium, prevalence of agitation, sleep quality, and person-centred care. We will collect patient level data at six time points (t1 admission, t2 day 3, t3 day 7, t4 day 14, t5 discharge, t6 30 days after discharge). For secondary outcomes at staff level, we will collect data before and after the intervention period. The process evaluation will examine degree and quality of implementation, mechanisms of change, and the context of the complex intervention. The economic evaluation will focus on costs from the hospital's perspective.

DISCUSSION

The ENROLE-acute study will provide insights into the effectiveness and underlying processes of a person-centred care intervention for people with cognitive impairment provided by expanded practice nurses on acute hospitals wards. Results may contribute to intervention refinement and evidence-based decision making.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current controlled trials: ISRCTN81391868. Date of registration: 12/06/2023. URL: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN81391868.

From pilot to a multi-site trial: refining the Early Detection of Deterioration in Elderly Residents (EDDIE +) intervention

BACKGROUND

Early Detection of Deterioration in Elderly Residents (EDDIE +) is a multi-modal intervention focused on empowering nursing and personal care workers to identify and proactively manage deterioration of residents living in residential aged care (RAC) homes. Building on successful pilot trials conducted between 2014 and 2017, the intervention was refined for implementation in a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial in 12 RAC homes from March 2021 to May 2022. We report the process used to transition from a small-scale pilot intervention to a multi-site intervention, detailing the intervention to enable future replication.

METHODS

The EDDIE + intervention used the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework to guide the intervention development and refinement process. We conducted an environmental scan; multi-level context assessments; convened an intervention working group (IWG) to develop the program logic, conducted a sustainability assessment and deconstructed the intervention components into fixed and adaptable elements; and subsequently refined the intervention for trial.

RESULTS

The original EDDIE pilot intervention included four components: nurse and personal care worker education; decision support tools; diagnostic equipment; and facilitation and clinical support. Deconstructing the intervention into core components and what could be flexibly tailored to context was essential for refining the intervention and informing future implementation across multiple sites. Intervention elements considered unsustainable were updated and refined to enable their scalability. Refinements included: an enhanced educational component with a greater focus on personal care workers and interactive learning; decision support tools that were based on updated evidence; equipment that aligned with recipient needs and available organisational support; and updated facilitation model with local and external facilitation.

CONCLUSION

By using the i-PARIHS framework in the scale-up process, the EDDIE + intervention was tailored to fit the needs of intended recipients and contexts, enabling flexibility for local adaptation. The process of transitioning from a pilot to larger scale implementation in practice is vastly underreported yet vital for better development and implementation of multi-component interventions across multiple sites. We provide an example using an implementation framework and show it can be advantageous to researchers and health practitioners from pilot stage to refinement, through to larger scale implementation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was prospectively registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12620000507987, registered 23/04/2020).

Association Between Documented Severe Pain and Cognitive Impairment in Home Health Care Patients: Results from the National Outcome and Assessment Information Set Data

Background: Despite the growing importance of home health care (HHC) in the care of older adults with cognitive impairment, limited evidence exists about factors associated with documented severe pain among older adults receiving HHC. Methods: This secondary data analysis used a 5% random national sample of the 2017 national Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) data. Multivariable Poisson regression model was used to examine the association between documented severe pain, cognitive impairment, and a range of sociodemographic, clinical, and cognitive factors. Results: HHC patients (n = 183,038) were mean age 79.7 years, 61.7% female, and 78.6% non-Hispanic White. In multivariable models, cognitive impairment was associated with lower likelihood of documented severe pain (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.96, confidence interval [CI] = [0.94-0.98]). Other factors independently associated with less documented severe pain included Hispanic ethnicity (PR = 0.92, CI = [0.89-0.95]), the oldest (≥85 years) groups (PR = 0.65, CI = [0.63-0.66]), male patients (PR = 0.83, CI = [0.82-0.85]), those with a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (PR = 0.67, CI = [0.65-0.69]), and patients with verbal- and speech-related difficulty (PR = 0.83, CI = [0.80-0.86]). Patients with history of falls (PR = 1.18, CI = [1.16-1.20]), positive screen on the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PR = 1.36, CI = [1.31-1.41]), shortness of breath (PR = 1.14, CI = [1.12-1.14]), anxiety daily (PR = 1.16, CI = [1.14-1.18]), and anxiety daily or more often (PR = 1.40, CI = [1.37-1.43]) were more likely to have documented severe pain. Conclusions: HHC patients with cognitive impairment were less likely to have documented severe pain even with a range of sociodemographic, clinical, functional, and cognitive characteristics were considered. These findings may reflect a link between cognitive impairment missed opportunities for clinicians to provide pain management. Tailored interventions are needed to better assess and manage pain in this vulnerable group of HHC patients.

Rehabilitation Nurses' Knowledge About Pain in Older Adults in Malta

PURPOSE

Rehabilitation nurses require adequate knowledge about pain to improve patient experience and quality of care. We explored nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards pain in older adults in a large rehabilitation hospital in Malta.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

In total, 130 nurses received a short survey, which gathered sociodemographic data, information regarding usual pain management, and prior education on pain. A modified version of the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (KASRP) with 18 questions was used, alongside the 24-item Pain in the Older Adults' Knowledge Survey (POAKS). Non-parametric tests identified factors associated with KASRP and POAKS scores.

RESULTS

Overall, 89 nurses completed the survey (response rate 68%). The median modified KASRP score was 50% (IQR 3.00), with only two nurses achieving the proposed "adequate" score of >80%. The median POAKS score was 79% (IQR 4.00). The only determinant of performance was nationality, with Maltese nurses performing better in POAKS than non-Maltese nurses (median 20.00 (3.00) vs. 16.50 (5.00); p = .003), indicating a possible language-related performance issue. Nurses scored poorly in some questions relating to analgesia administration, particularly opioids, as well as pain indicators and pain assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Rehabilitation nurses have fair knowledge of pain management in older people but require further education, particularly in opioid indications for pain management, pain expression, and assessment.

Implementing PainChek and PARO to Support Pain Assessment and Management in Residents with Dementia: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Pain is a common problem but often undiagnosed and untreated in people with dementia.

AIMS

This study explored the experiences of residents with dementia, family, andformal carers with (1) pain assessment and management for residents with dementia; (2) the use of the PainChek app for pain assessment, and (3) the use of a social robot PARO for pain management in residents with dementia.

DESIGN

A qualitative study.

SETTINGS/PARTICIPANTS

Interviews were conducted with 13 residents withdementia, three family members, and 18 formal carers from a residential aged carefacility.

METHOD

Residents with dementia interacted with PARO for 15 mins, five days perweek for three weeks. The PainChek app assessed pain levels before and after eachsession. After three-week intervention, individual interviews were conducted withresidents, family, and formal carers who experienced or observed the use of PainChekapp and PARO for residents. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, andanalyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Four themes were identified regarding pain in residents with dementia: (1) the impact, challenges and strategies of pain assessment and management; (2) benefits and barriers of using PainChek app to assess pain; (3) benefits of interacting with PARO to manage pain and behavioral symptoms; and (4) implementing PainChek app and PARO to support pain assessment and management in dementia care.

CONCLUSIONS

Technology, such as PainChek and PARO, is promising to improve painassessment and reduce pain for people with dementia. Barriers to using technologyinclude limited staff training and the implementation of person-centered care.

Association between pain and cognitive and daily functional impairment in older institutional residents: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Pain is often neglected in disabled older population, especially in Taiwan where the population of institutional residents is rapidly growing. Our study aimed to investigate pain prevalence and associated factors among institutional residents to improve pain assessment and management.

METHODS

This nationwide study recruited 5,746 institutional residents in Taiwan between July 2019 and February 2020. Patient self-report was considered the most valid and reliable indicator of pain. A 5-point verbal rating scale was used to measure pain intensity, with a score ranging from 2 to 5 indicating the presence of pain. Associated factors with pain, including comorbidities, functional dependence, and quality of life, were also assessed.

RESULTS

The mean age of the residents was 77.1 ± 13.4 years, with 63.1% of them aged over 75 years. Overall, 40.3% of the residents reported pain, of whom 51.2% had moderate to severe pain. Pain was more common in residents with comorbidities and significantly impacted emotions and behavior problems, and the mean EQ5D score, which is a measure of health-related quality of life (p < .001). Interestingly, pain was only related to instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and not activities of daily living (ADL). On the other hand, dementia was significantly negatively associated with pain (p < .001), with an estimated odds of 0.63 times (95% CI: 0.53-0.75) for the presence of pain when compared to residents who did not have dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

Unmanaged pain is common among institutional residents and is associated with comorbidities, IADL, emotional/behavioral problems, and health-related quality of life. Older residents may have lower odds of reporting pain due to difficulty communicating their pain, even through the use of a simple 5-point verbal rating scale. Therefore, more attention and effort should be directed towards improving pain evaluation in this vulnerable population .

Measurement and documentation of quality indicators for the end-of-life care of hospital patients a nationwide retrospective record review study

BACKGROUND

Quality of care at the end of life in hospitals is often perceived to be lower compared to the care that is provided to people who die in their own home. Documenting and measuring indicators of common end-of-life symptoms could help improve end-of-life care in hospitals. This study provided insight into quality indicators for the end-of-life care of patients who died in a Dutch hospital, and assessed differences between deceased patients who were admitted for palliative/terminal care versus patients admitted for other reasons.

METHODS

In a retrospective record review study, trained nurses reviewed electronic health records (EHRs) of patients who died in 2019 (n = 2998), in a stratified sample of 20 Dutch hospitals. The nurses registered whether data was found in de EHRs about quality indicators for end-of-life care. This concerned: symptoms (pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, depressive symptoms), spiritual and psychological support and advance care planning. Multilevel regression analyses were performed to assess differences between patients who had been admitted for palliative/terminal care and patients admitted for other reasons.

RESULTS

Common end-of-life symptoms were rarely measured using a standardized method (e.g. Numeric Rating Scale, Visual Analogue Scale or Utrecht Symptom Diary). The symptom burden of pain was measured using a standardized method more often (63.3%) than the symptom burden of shortness of breath (2.2%), anxiety (0.5%) and depressive symptoms (0.3%). Similarly, little information was documented in the EHRs regarding wish to involve a spiritual counsellor, psychologist or social worker. Life expectancy was documented in 66%. The preferred place of death was documented less often (20%). The documentation of some quality indicators differed between patients who were admitted for palliative/terminal care compared to other patients.

CONCLUSION

Except for the burden of pain, symptoms are rarely measured with standardized methods in patients who died in Dutch Hospitals. This study underlines the importance of documenting information about symptom burden and aspects related to advance care planning, and spiritual and psychological support to improve the quality of end-of-life care for patients in hospitals. Furthermore, uniformity in measuring methods improves the possibility to compare results between patient groups and settings.

Developing a Geriatric Emergency Department: People, Processes, and Place

Older patients' ED visits rose 30% over 5 years and EDs are now examining geriatric emergency department (GED) models of care. The 3 Ps model focuses on the GED's People, Processes, and the Place to provide a framework for GED development. Key resources include the: GED Collaborative, GED Guidelines, and Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation process. Core to a GED's operation is its care processes including: (1) General approaches; (2) Screening for high-risk conditions; (3) Enhanced assessment; (4) Workflow alterations; and (5) Transitions. This article provides practical guidance to EDs seeking to enhance the ED experience of older people and improve the quality of their outcomes.

Emergency Department Pain Management in the Older Adult

Pain assessment and management in older adults is complex and requires evaluation and consideration of the type of pain, the acuity of the condition, comorbidities, and medications. Many older adults do not receive appropriate therapy for painful conditions in the emergency department (ED). This brief review article is focused on pharmacologic agents, drug-drug interactions, drug-disease interactions, and approaches in the management of painful conditions seen in older adults in the emergency department. Recommendations for specific painful conditions such as fragility fractures are discussed.

A systematic review of prevalence of pain in nursing home residents with dementia

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of dementia in nursing home (NH) residents is high, and pain is a troublesome symptom for them. Several studies since 2010 have focused on pain in NH residents with dementia, but there is a lack of systematic reviews on the prevalence of pain in NH residents with dementia.

AIM

To systematically review observational studies published from 2010 to 2023 on how pain is assessed and prevalence of pain found in NH residents with dementia.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in the MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, AgeLine, and Cochrane databases for studies published from January 2010 to August 2023. Studies were included if they were observational studies with a quantitative design where self-report, staff assessment, and/or chart review were used to define the prevalence of pain in samples or subsamples of NH residents with dementia.

RESULTS

Of 184 studies considered, 25 were included. The studies assessed pain as daily, present, clinically relevant, chronic, intermittent, persistent pain and/or if pain affected quality of life. The prevalence of pain was high in most studies of NH residents with dementia independent of whether pain was reported as presence of pain or clinically relevant pain, but the prevalence varied from 8.6% to 79.6%. This prevalence was quite stable across the NH stay, but higher towards the end of life (up to 80.4%). Study designs and methodologies differed considerably. About half relied on an observational assessment inventory.

CONCLUSION

The number of studies focusing on pain in NH residents with dementia was restricted and methodologies differed considerably. Relatively few studies used an observational assessment inventory. In view of the fact that residents with dementia may have difficulties communicating pain, clinicians should pay attention to pain in these residents, systematically and reliably uncover pain by use of observational inventories, and subsequently treat pain to secure high quality care.

Implementing Healing Touch Pilot in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit: Reductions in Pain and Anxiety

Energy-based therapies (EBT) are increasingly being used as comfort measures for hospitalized patients. This article describes the background and process of implementing an EBT healing touch (HT) pilot program in an inpatient rehabilitation unit. The pilot built on knowledge gained in a preliminary EBT pilot in two hospital units to improve rehabilitation patient outcomes and gather additional information to support a fully funded, sustainable rehabilitation EBT program. Thirty-five percent of the rehabilitation patients received HT, most commonly for pain and anxiety, by experienced HT practitioners over the 9-month pilot period. Both HT practitioners' and patients' ratings showed that patients' level of pain and anxiety decreased by approximately two points after the HT experience. Documented patient comments confirmed their positive experience, including comments describing a reduction in anxiety and increased sense of calm.

Gender, Pain, and Function Associated With Physical Activity After Hospitalization in Persons Living With Dementia

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are associated with physical activity after hospitalization in persons living with dementia.

METHODS

Multiple linear regressions were conducted to test factors associated with objective activity levels (sedentary, low, moderate, and vigorous) among 244 patients living with dementia from a randomized controlled trial.

RESULTS

Within 48 hours of hospital discharge, time in sedentary behavior was associated with increased pain (β=0.164, P =0.015). Time in low activity was associated with less pain (β=-0.130, P =0.049) and higher physical function (β=0.300, P =<0.001). Time in moderate activity was associated with increased physical function (β=0.190, P =0.008) and male gender (β=0.155, P =0.016). No significant associations of potential factors were found with time in vigorous activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that managing or reducing pain, encouraging individual functional level, and gender could influence time spent in physical activity after acute hospitalization in persons living with dementia.

Neuropathic Pain in the Emergency Setting: Diagnosis and Management

Neuropathic pain, traditionally considered a chronic condition, is increasingly encountered in the emergency department (ED), accounting for approximately 20% of patients presenting with pain. Understanding the physiology and key clinical presentations of neuropathic pain is crucial for ED physicians to provide optimal treatment. While diagnosing neuropathic pain can be challenging, emphasis should be placed on obtaining a comprehensive medical history and conducting a thorough clinical examination. Patients often describe neuropathic pain as a burning or shock-like sensation, leading them to seek care in the ED after ineffective relief from common analgesics such as paracetamol and NSAIDs. Collaboration between emergency medicine specialists, neurologists, and pain management experts can contribute to the development of evidence-based guidelines specifically tailored for the emergency department setting. This article provides a concise overview of the common clinical manifestations of neuropathic pain that may prompt patients to seek emergency care.

Exploring the prevalence, characteristics and nursing assessment of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain results from damage to the nerves. It affects many in the general population, but its prevalence is higher in certain groups, for example those who have undergone certain procedures or systemic anti-cancer therapy and people with conditions such as diabetes mellitus, viral infections or central nervous system disorders. Regardless of the cause, neuropathic pain can have significant adverse effects on people's quality of life, so nurses need to be able to conduct a holistic pain assessment that incorporates physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects. This article explores the prevalence, characteristics and nursing assessment of neuropathic pain with the aim of improving nurses' awareness, practice and care of people affected by this type of pain.

Pain Management in the Postoperative Period for People With Dementia: An Integrative Review

Objective

With the increased global prevalence of older people with dementia, more will present for surgery over the coming decades. Therefore, the objective of this study was to synthesize the existing research about how pain in managed for people with dementia in the postoperative period and discuss the implications for clinical practice.

Methods

For this integrative review, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health literature, Medline/Pubmed, ProQuest, ERIC, and Health Source Nursing were searched to identify original empirical research published between 2000 and 2021. Tasks were divided between reviewers to ensure independent study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment.

Results

Eleven articles were eligible. The evidence is incompletely developed therefore the review focused on pain assessment, the types and amount of pain relief, that people with dementia receive less analgesia than people without dementia and the challenges for effective pain management. Most studies were surgery for hip fracture so there is scope to look at outcomes for other types of surgery. Analgesia was administered but it was noted that even over a 20-year period, people with dementia received less than cognitively intact people. Pain management could have a stronger evidence-base with more psychometric development of pain assessment tools. Challenges are due to the impaired ability of the person with dementia to communicate pain and that clinicians have difficulty understanding pain behavior in people with dementia.

Conclusion

Adequate pain management for people with dementia in the postoperative period is important for a faster and better recovery.

Perioperative pain management in dermatosurgery - current practice in Germany: Data analysis of a Germany-wide online survey among dermatosurgeons

BACKGROUND

Adequate pain management should be part of the standard of care in surgical procedures. However, there is a paucity of data in the field of dermatosurgery. In a standardized online survey among dermatosurgeons working in Germany, the current practice of perioperative pain management was investigated.

METHODS

Members of the German Society for Dermatosurgery (DGDC) and heads of dermatosurgical departments were asked to participate. Questions were related to practical implementation of perioperative pain management, pain documentation and personal sources of information on the topic.

RESULTS

116 questionnaires were analyzed. While prophylactic analgesia is rarely used, the vast majority (86%) reported the use of postoperative on-demand medication. The majority of surgeons do not have a fixed regimen. Mostly NSAIDs and occasionally low potency opioids are used. Pain is documented by the majority (59.1%) as free text. Personal experience (69%) and in-house standards (51%) are the most important factors in pain management. The use of guidelines (25%) plays a minor role.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative pain management in dermatosurgery is strongly influenced by personal experience and may vary depending on the surgery performed. Consensus-based standardized recommendations are lacking. For adequate perioperative analgesia, the development of demand-oriented pain concepts is desirable. This requires prospective studies that address the specific patient population and surgical procedures in dermatology.

Perioperative Schmerztherapie bei dermatochirurgischen Eingriffen - aktuelle Praxis in Deutschland: Datenauswertung einer deutschlandweiten Online-Umfrage unter Dermatochirurgen

Hintergrund

Adäquate Schmerztherapie sollte bei operativen Eingriffen zum regelhaften Behandlungskonzept gehören. In der Dermatochirurgie gibt es hierzu jedoch kaum Daten, wie am besten vorgegangen werden sollte. In einer standardisierten Online‐Umfrage unter in Deutschland tätigen Dermatochirurgen wurde die gängige Praxis der perioperativen Schmerztherapie bei dermotochirurgischen Eingriffen erhoben.

Methodik

Mitglieder der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Dermatochirurgie (DGDC) sowie Leiter dermatochirurgischer Abteilungen wurden um Teilnahme gebeten. Fragen bezogen sich auf praktische Umsetzung des perioperativen Schmerzmanagements, Schmerzdokumentation und persönliche Informationsquellen zum Themenkomplex.

Ergebnisse

116 Fragebögen konnten ausgewertet werden. Während prophylaktische Analgesie kaum angewandt wird, berichtet die überwiegende Mehrzahl (86%), eine postoperative Bedarfsmedikation einzusetzen. Feste Therapieregime existieren mehrheitlich nicht. Zumeist werden NSAR und gelegentlich niedrigpotente Opioide verwendet. Schmerzen werden von der Mehrzahl (59,1%) als Freitext dokumentiert. Die größte Bedeutung beim schmerztherapeutischen Management besitzen persönliche Erfahrungswerte (69%) und hausinterne Standards (51%). Die Nutzung von Leitlinien (25%) spielt eine untergeordnete Rolle.

Schlussfolgerungen

Perioperatives Schmerzmanagement in der Dermatochirurgie ist stark von persönlichen Erfahrungswerten geprägt und kann je nach durchgeführtem Eingriff unterschiedlich ausfallen. Konsensbasierte standardisierte Empfehlungen hierfür fehlen. Für eine suffiziente perioperative Analgesie ist die Entwicklung bedarfsorientierter Schmerzkonzepte wünschenswert. Dafür bedarf es prospektiver Studien, die das spezielle Patientenklientel und operative Vorgehen in der Dermatologie berücksichtigen.

Model Testing of the Factors that are Associated with Care Interactions among Nursing Home Residents with Dementia

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to test a model of the resident and community factors that are associated with quality of care interactions among nursing home (NH) residents living with dementia and test for invariance between model fit when tested with the Black versus White residents and female versus male residents. It was hypothesized that resident age, gender, race, pain, comorbidities, quality of life, resistiveness to care, function, cognition, community profit status, overall community star rating, community size, and staffing star rating would be directly and/or indirectly associated with quality of care interactions. It was also hypothesized that the model fit would be invariant by resident race and gender.

DESIGN

This was a secondary data analysis using baseline, cross-sectional data from the Evidence Integration Triangle for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (EIT-4-BPSD) intervention study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The study included 528 residents from 55 NH facilities.

METHODS

Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model.

RESULTS

The results showed that the final model with significant paths only had a poor fit to the data (χ2/df = 10.79, comparative fit index = 0.57, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.15, normed fit index = 0.57, root mean square error of approximation = 0.13). However, the findings indicated that comorbidities, pain, profit status, and overall community star rating were significantly associated with quality of care interactions. There was no difference in model fit between Black residents versus White residents, and between male versus female residents.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

This study suggests factors that may influence quality of care interactions. Managing comorbidities, managing pain, and supporting higher quality of care in NH communities will likely help increase the frequency of positive care interactions. These findings can inform future interventions and training curricula for NH care staff to promote positive care interactions.

Gender differences in interactions and depressive symptoms among hospitalized older patients living with dementia

Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia (ADRD) disproportionately affects women with two-thirds of individuals with ADRD comprised of women. This study examined gender-related differences in the quality of staff-patient interactions and depressive symptoms among hospitalized older patients living with dementia. This secondary analysis utilized baseline data of 140 hospitalized older patients with dementia who participated in the final cohort of a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03046121) implementing Family centered Function-focused Care (Fam-FFC). On average, the participants (male = 46.1%, female = 52.9%) were 81.43 years old (SD = 8.29), had positive interactions with staff and lower depressive symptoms based on Quality of Interaction Schedule (QUIS) scores and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) scores, respectively. Although males had more positive interactions (male = 6.06, SD = 1.13; female = 5.59, SD = 1.51) and lesser depressive symptoms (male = 7.52, SD = 4.77; female = 8.03, SD = 6.25) than females, no statistically significant gender differences were observed in linear models with appropriate covariates or multivariant analysis of covariant (MANCOVA). However, the multigroup regression conducted to further probe marginally significant moderation effect of gender and pain on staff-patient interactions demonstrated that greater pain was significantly related to lower quality or less positive staff-patient interactions for females compared to males (χ2diff (1) = 4.84, p = .03). Continued evaluation of gender differences is warranted to inform care delivery and interventions to improve care for hospitalized older patients with dementia.

The Association of Cognitive Impairment With Depressive Symptoms, Function, and Pain in Hospitalized Older Patients With Dementia

This study examined the associations between cognition and depressive symptoms, function, and pain among hospitalized older patients with dementia. We utilized baseline data of 461 hospitalized older patients with dementia who participated in an intervention study implementing Family-centered Function-focused Care (Fam-FFC) and conducted stepwise linear regression. On average, the participants (males = 189; 41% and females = 272; 59%) were 81.64 years old (Standard Deviation, SD = 8.38). There was a statistically significant association of cognition with depressive symptoms (b = -0.184, p < .001), functional status (b = 1.324, p < .001), and pain (b = -0.045, p < .001) when controlling for covariates. This study utilized a large sample of a relatively underrepresented population, hospitalized older adults with dementia, and addressed a topic with great clinical significance. Specific focus on testing and implementing best practices or interventions to support the clinical outcomes, and the cognitive function of hospitalized older adults with dementia is warranted in both practice and research.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another in Palliative Care: A Case Report

In palliative care, many end-of-life (EOL) patients are physically dependent on their caregivers. These patients may also have difficulty expressing their needs because of their underlying disease and are vulnerable to abuse. Factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA) describes a condition in which an individual intentionally feigns physical or psychological signs or symptoms in another person with the intention of deceiving medical providers. Although FDIA is a form of abuse that palliative care workers must be aware of because of its multiple impacts on EOL care, it has never been reported in the palliative care literature. In this case discussion, we highlight a woman with advanced dementia who was subjected to FDIA. We discuss the impact of FDIA on EOL care and the management of FDIA in palliative care.