Pain and its consequences in dementia: Observing the complex relationship between pain, behaviour and ADL in nursing home residents

The primary aim of this thesis was to investigate the complex relationship between pain, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and ADL functioning in persons with dementia. Furthermore, we studied the psychometric properties of a new and universal observational pain assessment instrument Pain Assessment In Impaired Cognition: PAIC.The results of this thesis show that pain in nursing home residents with dementia is related to a decline in ADL functions, independent of dementia severity. Specifically, a decline in the ADL activities transferring and bathing.Additionally, the psychometric evaluation of the PAIC presented in this thesis not only results in a promising measurement instrument, but also provides useful information for the development and improvement of educational programmes that contribute to the utilization of the PAIC15.SBOH (werkgever van huisartsen en specialisten ouderengeneeskunde in opleiding) Stichting Zorggroep FlorenceLUMC / Geneeskund