Ethnic Differences in Nonverbal Pain Behaviors Observed in Older Adults with Dementia

Brianne Ford; A Lynn Snow; Keela Herr; Toni Tripp-Reimer

doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2015.03.003

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Ethnic Differences in Nonverbal Pain Behaviors Observed in Older Adults with Dementia

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Ethnic Differences in Nonverbal Pain Behaviors Observed in Older Adults with Dementia

Brianne Ford, A Lynn Snow, Keela Herr and Toni Tripp-Reimer

Pain management nursing, Vol.16(5), pp.692-700

10/2015

DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2015.03.003

PMCID: PMC4815256

PMID: 25962546

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http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2015.03.003View

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Abstract

Research supports using nonverbal pain behaviors to identify pain in persons with dementia. It is unknown whether variations exist among ethnic groups in the expression of nonverbal pain behaviors in this special population. The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine ethnic differences in the presentation and intensity of nonverbal pain behaviors among African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic older adults with dementia when screened for pain by certified nursing assistants. Six certified nursing assistants were trained to review and score 28 video recordings of subjects with dementia for nonverbal pain behaviors using the Non-Communicative Patient's Pain Assessment Instrument. Chi-square was used to examine differences among ethnic groups with regard to the display of nonverbal pain behaviors, and ANOVA was used to evaluate differences in the intensity of overall pain across ethnic groups. Of the 168 assessments, pain words (28%), pain noises (29.8%), and pain faces (28%) were observed most often as indicators of pain. Rubbing, bracing, and restlessness were rarely noted. Chi-square analysis revealed ethnic differences in the expression of pain words (χ(2) = 19.167, p < .001). No significant differences were noted across ethnic groups with regards to overall pain intensity. These findings are the first to examine ethnic differences in nonverbal pain behaviors for older adults with dementia. However, future work should examine assessment tendencies of providers in a larger, more diverse sample.

African Americans

Nonverbal Communication

Humans

Hispanic Americans

Facial Expression

European Continental Ancestry Group

Male

Sound

Ethnic Groups

Dementia - complications

Pain - complications

Female

Aged

Pain Measurement

Pain - diagnosis

Details

Title: Subtitle: Ethnic Differences in Nonverbal Pain Behaviors Observed in Older Adults with Dementia
Creators: Brianne Ford - University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Iowa City, Iowa. Electronic address: brianne-black@uiowa.edu
A Lynn Snow - Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, Research & Development Service, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; University of Alabama, Center for Mental Health & Aging and Department of Psychology, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Keela Herr - University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Iowa City, Iowa
Toni Tripp-Reimer - University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Iowa City, Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Pain management nursing, Vol.16(5), pp.692-700
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2015.03.003
PMID: 25962546
PMCID: PMC4815256
NLM abbreviation: Pain Manag Nurs
ISSN: 1524-9042
eISSN: 1532-8635
Publisher: United States
Grant note: R03-MH64033-01 / NIMH NIH HHS T32 NR011147 / NINR NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 10/2015
Academic Unit: Nursing Administration and Gen; Nursing
Record Identifier: 9984064162202771

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