Developing a Nonpharmacological Pain Intervention for Community-dwelling Older Adults With Dementia

Launched by DREXEL UNIVERSITY · Feb 15, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on creating a special exercise program to help older adults with memory issues, like dementia, who also experience knee pain, often due to arthritis. The study has two parts. In Part 1, researchers want to talk to individuals aged 60 and older living in the community who have memory problems and knee pain, as well as their care partners (family members or friends who help them), and clinicians who work with these patients. These interviews will help the researchers understand the challenges these individuals face and how to design an effective exercise program that can help manage knee pain without using medications.

In Part 2, the exercise program developed from the interviews will be tested to see how well it works. To be eligible for Part 1, participants must be 60 or older, speak English, have mild dementia, and experience knee pain that has lasted for at least three months. Care partners and clinicians can also take part if they meet specific criteria. Participants can choose to join either or both parts of the study, and signing up for one part does not require participation in the other. If you're interested or have questions, feel free to reach out for more information!

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for people living with dementia:
• • Age 60 or older
• • Speaks English
• • Mild/Very Mild dementia
• • Knee pain lasting ≥ 3 months, potentially related to arthritis
• • Knee pain is at least 2 out of 10 on average.
• Exclusion Criteria for people living with dementia:
• • Reside in long term care facility
• • Unable or unwilling to consent
• • Has a condition with a life expectancy of less than 1-year
• • No care partner who is also willing to participate
• • Recent changes to pain or psychotropic medications in the last 60 days
• • Recent knee surgery in the last 1-year
• • Has a condition that contraindicates exercise (Phase 2 only)
• • Currently receiving rehab services (Phase 2 only)
• For care partners:
• • No sex, gender, or age criteria
• • Has known person living with dementia ≥ 1 year
• • Speaks English
• • Able and willing to consent, including being recorded
• For clinicians:
• • No sex, gender, or age criteria
• • Speaks English
• • Has ≥ 2 years of experience working with community-dwelling people with dementia and pain
• • Able and willing to consent, including being recorded