Marianne Smith1. 1. College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. msmith1@netins.net
Abstract
TOPIC: Pain assessment is a particular challenge among individuals with advanced dementia who lack the ability to formulate and express their experience of discomfort. PURPOSE: Awareness of pain scales and methods specifically designed for use with nonverbal individuals with dementia is critical to expanded use and testing in clinical settings. SOURCES: Computerized literature searches using four databases revealed the five observational scales and two caregiver reports methods reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: A small number of valid, reliable, and sensitive scales are available for use by nurses and allied health personnel. Each has strengths and limitations and all would benefit from additional testing.
TOPIC: Pain assessment is a particular challenge among individuals with advanced dementia who lack the ability to formulate and express their experience of discomfort. PURPOSE: Awareness of pain scales and methods specifically designed for use with nonverbal individuals with dementia is critical to expanded use and testing in clinical settings. SOURCES: Computerized literature searches using four databases revealed the five observational scales and two caregiver reports methods reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: A small number of valid, reliable, and sensitive scales are available for use by nurses and allied health personnel. Each has strengths and limitations and all would benefit from additional testing.
Authors: Lidwine B Mokkink; Caroline B Terwee; Paul W Stratford; Jordi Alonso; Donald L Patrick; Ingrid Riphagen; Dirk L Knol; Lex M Bouter; Henrica C W de Vet Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2009-02-24 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Valentina Lichtner; Dawn Dowding; Philip Esterhuizen; S José Closs; Andrew F Long; Anne Corbett; Michelle Briggs Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2014-12-17 Impact factor: 3.921