RECRUITINGINTERVENTIONAL

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

E-Tailored Pain Management Support for Dementia Family Caregivers

About This Trial

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.

Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)

Who May Qualify: - 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. Who Should NOT Join This Trial: - Currently participating in another research study that could interfere with this intervention. Always talk to your doctor about whether this trial is right for you.

Original Eligibility Criteria

View original clinical language

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.

Treatments Being Tested

OTHER

Web-based pain management support tool

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.

BEHAVIORAL

Usual Pain Management Care

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)

College of Nursing

Iowa City, Iowa, United States