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Pain measurement in the elderly: a review
1University of South Florida, College of Nursing, Tampa, FL, USA. rodrics@nursing.ufl.edu
Summary
Measuring pain in older adults needs more research. This review highlights gaps in reliable pain assessment tools for the elderly, especially those with communication or cognitive issues.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pain Management
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Pain measurement in the elderly is under-researched.
- Effective pain assessment is crucial for geriatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize research on pain measurement in the elderly from 1975-1999.
- Identify knowledge gaps in geriatric pain assessment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 15 studies using best-evidence synthesis.
- Descriptive and quantitative analytic approach.
Main Results:
- Few studies compared pain measurement tools (40%).
- Identified significant gaps in tool reliability and validity for diverse elderly populations.
- Lack of focus on modifying instruments for communication, cultural, or cognitive barriers.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to validate pain measurement tools for the elderly.
- Instruments require adaptation for specific elder populations and barriers.
- Expand pain measurement to include broader dimensions of the pain experience.