Evaluating the Efficacy of the Pain Identification and Communication Toolkit

Launched by WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY · Dec 12, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a program called the Pain Identification and Communication Toolkit (PICT) designed to help caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The goal of the trial is to see if PICT can train caregivers to better recognize and communicate about pain experienced by the people they care for. By improving these skills, caregivers may be able to provide better support for their loved ones, who often struggle to express their pain.

To participate in this study, caregivers need to be at least 21 years old, speak English, and provide care to someone with dementia who has a pain diagnosis. They should visit their care recipient at least once a week and be reachable by phone. The care recipient must be enrolled in a specific program that supports elderly individuals, and they should not be in hospice care. If eligible, participants will receive training on how to identify pain and communicate effectively about it, which can enhance the quality of care they provide. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it's an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of caregivers and those they care for.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • CAREGIVER PARTICIPANTS
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 21 or older
• • 2. Any gender
• • 3. English speaking
• • 4. Cognitively intact (BOMC ≤10)
• • 5. Provides care to a community-dwelling adult with dementia or cognitive impairment who also has a pain diagnosis
• • 6. Care recipient is not enrolled in hospice
• • 7. Visits the care recipient at least weekly
• • 8. Accessible by telephone
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Paid caregiver
• • 2. Age 20 or younger
• • 3. Non-English speaking
• • 4. Cognitively impaired
• • 5. Does not provide care to a person with dementia or cognitive impairment who also has a pain diagnosis
• • 6. Currently enrolled in hospice
• • 7. The patient to whom the caregiver provides assistance is enrolled in hospice
• • 8. Visits care recipient less than weekly
• • 9. Not accessible by telephone.
• • PATIENT PARTICIPANTS
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Residing in community settings
• • 2. Record of dementia or cognitive impairment
• • 3. Diagnosis of pain
• • 4. Responsive to environment
• • 5. No terminal illness with life expectancy \<6 months
• • 6. Not in active cancer treatment
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Lives in a residential facility (such as a nursing home or assisted living)
• • 2. Enrolled in hospice
• • 3. No dementia or cognitive impairment
• • 4. Unresponsive to environment
• • 5. Has terminal illness with life expectancy \<6 months
• • 6. Are in active cancer treatment