Reviews
27 May 2025
Vol. 2 (2025)
Pain in dementia: existing approaches and prospective developments – a narrative review
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
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Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that can lead to inadequate care for people with dementia. Due to the subjective nature of pain, assessing pain in dementia presents persistent challenges. Pain within the context of this patient group is noted for its various nuances and inconsistencies regarding standard care and assessment. This review explores the definitions, diagnosis, and management of pain in dementia. This review was based on an electronic search of existing literature, using PubMed as a primary source. Nineteen papers met the inclusion criteria, ranging from exploratory qualitative analysis of pain management in People with Dementia (PwD) to quantitative validation of assessment tools and novel interventions. Common themes of difficulty in assessing pain among PwD due to cognitive impairment-related communication difficulties and the subpar current standard practices regarding management and assessment of pain were identified, with nuanced and specific assessment and management procedures for PwD consistently supported. There is growing support for using pain assessment tools designed for patients with cognitive impairment, particularly those that involve guided movement, because of the current problems with both medication and non-medication pain management for these patients and the increasing evidence that their ability to handle pain is reduced. Qualitative analysis considering caregiver and patient perspectives and experiences is essential if the health-related quality of life of PwD relating to pain is to be improved.
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How to Cite
1.
Matsangidou M, Yianni J, Hadjiraros M, S. Panayides A, Pittara M, S. Pattichis C, et al. Pain in dementia: existing approaches and prospective developments – a narrative review. Adv Health Res [Internet]. 2025 May 27 [cited 2025 Jun. 8];2. Available from: https://www.ahr-journal.org/site/article/view/35
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