Project Description
Caregiver-Assisted Pain Coping Skills Training for Dementia
Pain
is common and undertreated in patients with mild to moderate dementia, and is
associated with disability, psychological distress, and exacerbation of neuropsychiatric
symptoms. Non-pharmacological approaches for pain management such as pain
coping skills training have been found to be efficacious among older adults
without dementia, and have been recommended for patients with dementia but have
not been tested in this population. Given the impact of dementia on patients’
family caregivers, their role in pain management, and the progressive nature of
the disease, it is important to target pain management efforts to patients and
their caregivers together. We have previously developed caregiver-assisted pain
coping skills training (CG-PCST) interventions for patients with osteoarthritis
and cancer and found they lead to improvements in outcomes for both patients
and caregivers. In this study, we propose to develop a CG-PCST protocol for
community-dwelling adults with pain and mild-moderate dementia and their family
caregivers. The first aim is to develop the protocol incorporating strategies
to meet the specific needs of these patients and caregivers. We will use
interviews with patient-caregiver dyads and a focus group with health care
providers to ensure the protocol is tailored specifically to address the most
important pain-related concerns and incorporates pain coping skills that are
appropriate and beneficial for these patients and caregivers. The second aim is
to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the protocol among 12
patient-caregivers dyads. Results of this study will support the development of
a multi-site RCT to test the short- and long-term efficacy of the
caregiver-guided pain coping skills training protocol on patient and caregiver
outcomes. This program of research has the potential to meaningfully advance
the clinical care of patients with dementia and pain, change clinical practice,
and enhance the quality of life of older adults with dementia and their family
caregivers.
Bio
Laura Porter, PhD, is Associate
Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and the
School of Nursing at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. Dr. Porter
is a clinical psychologist whose research focuses on developing and evaluating
psychosocial interventions to help patients and their family members cope with
the symptoms and psychological demands of illness. She has particular expertise
in couple-based and caregiver-assisted interventions.
Email: Laura.Porter@duke.edu