New ER tool aims to better detect pain in dementia patients

NCT ID NCT06370572

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

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