Obtaining self-report data from cognitively impaired elders: Methodological issues and clinical implications for nursing home pain assessment

The investigators developed and evaluated a procedure for obtaining self-report pain data from nursing home residents across a range of cognitive status and evaluated the consistency, stability, and concurrent validity of resident responses. Using a modified Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM-M2), they interviewed 61 residents from two nursing homes once a week for four consecutive weeks and collected additional data using chart review, cognitive status assessments, and surveys of nursing assistants. Eighty-nine percent of residents completed the interviews. Completion time for the 17-item pain measure was not predicted by cognitive status. Residents' scores on the GPM-M2 were significantly correlated with number of chronic pain-associated diagnoses. Residents' GPM-M2 scores were stable over time for all comparisons. Results suggest that many nursing home residents can provide consistent and reliable self-report pain data, given appropriate time and assistance. Fisher SE, Burgio LD, Thorn BE, Hardin JM. Adapted from Gerontologist. 2006 Feb;46(1):81-88.

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