Evaluating a toolkit to help caregivers identify and communicate pain in dementia patients

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the Pain Identification and Communication Toolkit (PICT), designed to assist caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in recognizing and communicating about pain. The intervention includes four weekly telephone sessions that provide training in observational pain assessment and effective communication techniques. Participants will be recruited from programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) and partnering health care clinics. The study aims to compare the efficacy of PICT against an Attention Control condition and identify factors that may influence its effectiveness.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

CAREGIVER PARTICIPANTS

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 21 or older
2. Any gender
3. English speaking
4. Cognitively intact (BOMC ≤10)
5. Provides care to a community-dwelling adult with dementia or cognitive impairment who also has a pain diagnosis
6. Care recipient is not enrolled in hospice
7. Visits the care recipient at least weekly
8. Accessible by telephone

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Paid caregiver
2. Age 20 or younger
3. Non-English speaking
4. Cognitively impaired
5. Does not provide care to a person with dementia or cognitive impairment who also has a pain diagnosis
6. Currently enrolled in hospice
7. The patient to whom the caregiver provides assistance is enrolled in hospice
8. Visits care recipient less than weekly
9. Not accessible by telephone.

PATIENT PARTICIPANTS

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Residing in community settings
2. Record of dementia or cognitive impairment
3. Diagnosis of pain
4. Responsive to environment
5. No terminal illness with life expectancy \<6 months
6. Not in active cancer treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Lives in a residential facility (such as a nursing home or assisted living)
2. Enrolled in hospice
3. No dementia or cognitive impairment
4. Unresponsive to environment
5. Has terminal illness with life expectancy \<6 months
6. Are in active cancer treatment

Where it's running

• Weill Cornell Medicine
  New York, New York, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Catherine A Riffin, PhD — Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Study coordinator: Lisa Sacerio
• Email: lis4019@med.cornell.edu
• Phone: 646-962-6941

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.