Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Published on Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (https://www.j-alz.com)

Home > Pain Assessment in Dementia: Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Technological Solution.

TitlePain Assessment in Dementia: Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Technological Solution.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsAtee, M, Hoti, K, Parsons, R, Hughes, JD
JournalJ Alzheimers Dis
Volume60
Issue1
Pagination137-150
Date Published2017
ISSN1875-8908
Abstract

Pain is common among people with moderate to severe dementia, but inability of patients to self-report means it often goes undetected and untreated. We developed the electronic Pain Assessment Tool (ePAT) to address this issue. A point-of-care App, it utilizes facial recognition technology to detect facial micro-expressions indicative of pain. ePAT also records the presence of pain-related behaviors under five additional domains (Voice, Movement, Behavior, Activity, and Body). In this observational study, we assessed the psychometric properties of ePAT compared to the Abbey Pain Scale (APS). Forty aged care residents (70% females) over the age of 60 years, with moderate to severe dementia and a history of pain-related condition(s) were recruited into the study. Three hundred and fifty-three paired pain assessments (either at rest or post-movement) were recorded and analyzed. The ePAT demonstrated excellent concurrent validity (r = 0.882, 95% CI: 0.857-0.903) and good discriminant validity. Inter-rater reliability score was good overall (weighted κ= 0.74, 95% CI: 0.68-0.80) while internal consistency was excellent. ePAT has psychometric properties which make it suitable for use in non-communicative patients with dementia. ePAT also has the advantage of automated facial expression assessment which provides objective and reproducible evidence of the presence of pain.

DOI10.3233/JAD-170375
Alternate JournalJ. Alzheimers Dis.
PubMed ID28800333
PubMed Central IDPMC5611807
E-mail Icon
Comment Icon
  • Comment
Bookmark Icon Bookmark Recommend Icon Recommend Follow Icon Follow
  • Comment
| Bookmark | Recommend | Follow

Source URL: https://www.j-alz.com/content/pain-assessment-dementia-evaluation-point-care-technological-solution