New ER tool aims to better detect pain in dementia patients

NCT ID NCT06370572

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Chicago Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 4 times

Summary

This study tested whether a special pain scale called PAINAD, built into the electronic health record, helps emergency room staff better assess and treat pain in older adults with dementia who come in with hip pain. The study included 714 patients and measured how often the scale was used and whether it led to faster or better pain relief. The goal is to improve pain care for a group that often cannot communicate their pain clearly.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: PAINAD electronic health record prompt
What this could lead to: If successful, this could improve pain assessment and treatment for people with dementia in emergency rooms.
What could go wrong: This is a completed pragmatic study, not a treatment trial. The PAINAD scale is a tool, not a cure, and results may not change actual pain outcomes or apply to all ER settings.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

dementia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEMENTIA EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PATIENT HIP PAIN PAIN IN ADVANCED DEMENTIA SCALE

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, 60637, United States
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

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