Pain assessment tools for older adults with dementia in long-term care facilities: a systematic review
Authors:
Chow, S., Chow, R., Lam, M., Rowbottom, L., Hollenberg, D., Friesen, E., Nadalini, O., Lam, H., DeAngelis, C., and Herrmann, N.
Abstract:
AIM: The aim of this review is to document pain assessment tools used primarily for older adults in long-term care facilities and compare self-report and observer-rated tools.
METHODS: A literature search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE((R)), Embase, Cochrane and PsycINFO. Keywords included 'dementia', 'pain management' and 'managing pain'.
RESULTS: Of 1033 references, 23 articles were selected for inclusion. Six tools were self-rated and 18 tools were administered by an observer. 13 studies evaluated the reliability/validity of their scales; four studies compared different scales against each other.
CONCLUSION: Self-report should be the first-line approach when possible, with observational assessment used as a supplementary tool. Reliable observational tools have been shortened, and shown to maintain high reliability/validity, and positive psychometric properties.
