E-Tailored Pain Management Support for Dementia Family Caregivers: Feasibility of the PACE-app
E-Tailored Pain Management Support for Dementia Family Caregivers
University of Iowa
60 participants
May 22, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether a web-based application called the Pain Control Enhancement App (PACE-app) can support family caregivers in managing pain for their care recipients with dementia. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is it feasible and acceptable for family caregivers to use the PACE-app? Does using the PACE-app improve caregiver self-efficacy in pain management, adherence to pain treatments, communication with care providers, well-being, and their care recipient's pain conditions? Researchers will compare caregivers who use the PACE-app to those who continue with their usual care practices to see if the app leads to better outcomes for both caregivers and care recipients. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either the PACE-app group or a usual-care control group Complete online surveys at baseline, 1 month, and 2 months If assigned to the PACE-app group: Use the PACE-app for 1 month to receive tailored pain management strategies and tools, and record their care recipient's pain in a digital diary Participate in an interview about their experience with the app All participation activities can be done remotely or in person.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria7
- Be a primary caregiver - (a family member, relative, or friend) of a person with dementia (or cognitive impairment) and chronic pain (lasting \>3 months)'
- Be responsible for managing the care recipient's pain and pain treatments (including interpreting verbal or non-verbal pain communication).
- Be age 18 - 100.
- Be able to read and speak English.
- Have regular access to an electronic device (tablet, laptop, or computer) with internet connectivity (for using the app and participating in data collection).
- Be accessible by phone or email to schedule meetings.
- Be willing to commit to the full study duration and protocol.
Exclusion Criteria1
- Currently participating in another research study that could interfere with this intervention.
Interventions
The Pain Control Enhancement App (PACE-app) is a web-based tool designed to help family caregivers manage pain in persons with dementia. The app provides a brief screening to identify caregiver challenges and delivers tailored strategies, communication prompts for providers, and an educational resource library. It includes a digital pain diary for tracking daily pain, treatments, and urgent care use, with weekly reports that can be shared with healthcare providers. The app is accessible on any internet-connected device and designed for caregivers with varying levels of digital literacy.
Caregivers receive no new intervention; they manage their care recipient's pain according to standard practices. No access to the PACE-app is given during the study period.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07032350