E-Tailored Pain Management Support for Dementia Family Caregivers: Feasibility of the PACE-app

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.

Interventions

• Web-based pain management support tool · OTHER

  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.

• Usual Pain Management Care · BEHAVIORAL

  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.

Published eligibility criteria

Verbatim from the registry. Only the site can decide how these apply to a specific patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

* 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 Criteria:

* Currently participating in another research study that could interfere with this intervention.

Sites (1)

• College of Nursing, Iowa City, Iowa · RECRUITING