Visualization of Pain and Agitation by System Analysis Algorithms

Abstract

Pain is a critical trigger for underlying behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia, such as agitation, depression, and eating and sleeping disturbances. People with moderate to severe dementia are no longer able to report their suffering, the effect of medication after treatment has been initiated or potential side effects of the treatment. In “Understanding Pain and Agitation Through System Analysis Algorithms in People With Dementia. A Novel Explorative Approach by the DIGI.PAIN Study” we investigate whether system analysis algorithms can shed light on the relationship between pain and agitation. The method generated individualized estimations for the evolution of pain and agitation over time, as well as a dynamical model for their relationship. The participant group included 219 persons with dementia from the COSMOS study (COmmunication, Systematic assessment and treatment of pain, Medication review, Organization of activities, and Safety). Moreover, in our talk we will present early findings on the visualization of systematic pain medication review on activity levels in nursing home patients with dementia