Efficacy of treating pain to reduce behavioural disturbances in residents of nursing homes with dementia: cluster randomised clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine whether a systematic approach to the treatment of pain can reduce agitation in people with moderate to severe dementia living in nursing homes.

Design

Cluster randomised controlled trial.

Setting

60 clusters (single independent nursing home units) in 18 nursing homes within five municipalities of western Norway.

Participants

352 residents with moderate to severe dementia and clinically significant behavioural disturbances randomised to a stepwise protocol for the treatment of pain for eight weeks with additional follow-up four weeks after the end of treatment (33 clusters; n = 175) or to usual treatment (control, 27 clusters; n = 177).

Intervention

Participants in the intervention group received individual daily treatment of pain f

SUBMITTER: Husebo BS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3137923 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature