Caregiver-led pain coping skills program for people with dementia
Caregiver-assisted pain coping skills training for dementia
This project teaches caregivers and people with Alzheimer's or related dementias simple, non-drug skills to manage pain at home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11197599 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and a family caregiver would learn pain coping skills adapted from cognitive behavioral approaches, with the caregiver helping to use the skills day-to-day. The program is designed for people with early to moderate dementia who live in the community and their family caregivers. Training likely includes relaxation, activity pacing, problem solving, and ways to recognize and respond to pain without relying only on medications. The team will follow pain, comfort, behavior, and caregiver stress outcomes over the study period.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling adults with early to moderate Alzheimer's disease or related dementia who have a willing family caregiver to participate.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, no available caregiver, or medical conditions that prevent participating in behavioral training are less likely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce pain and distress for people with dementia and lower caregiver stress while reducing reliance on medications.
How similar studies have performed: Pain coping skills training has shown benefits for older adults without dementia, but caregiver-assisted versions tailored to people with dementia are newer and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Porter, Laura S — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Porter, Laura S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.