Pain management in people with dementia in care homes: feasibility
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pain management in people with dementia living in care homes: feasibility pilot and audit
IRAS ID
183944
Contact name
Anne Corbett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
There are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK, and this is expected to rise to over 1 million by 2025. The treatment and care of people with dementia costs the UK £23 billion each year and places significant burden on healthcare services. Treatment of dementia is challenging for doctors, particularly in the later stage when people lose the ability to communicate. A common example of this is when people are in pain. 80% of people with dementia in care homes experience regular pain. Besides causing discomfort and distress, untreated pain results in difficulties with movement and is a major cause of behavioural symptoms such as agitation. Although pathways exist for assessment and treatment of pain in other individuals, there is currently no guidance for use with people with dementia. It is essential to determine the best way to assess and treat pain, and develop an easy-to-use pathway to guide health and care professionals. Consultation work has revealed the importance of effective communication, to ensure optimal pain management, and the current lack of consistency in this aspect of care.
This feasibility study is the second phase of an NIHR Programme Development Grant focusing on the management of pain in people with dementia living in care homes. The work will perform preliminary testing of a novel decision-making pathway to support pain management, for use by care staff working in care homes. A six-week pilot study in three care homes and up to 30 people with dementia will evaluate the feasibility and fidelity of the approach through qualitative and quantitative methodology including case studies and focus groups with care staff. The work also involves an audit of pain and communication in eight care homes. This study represents an important step in developing an accessible, feasible tool for implementation in care practice.REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1167
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion