Assessing and Managing Pain in Patients with Limited Communication Abilities

SIG Name: Pain in Older Persons

Description of Symposium: This is a combined symposium of The Special Interest Group on Pain in Older Persons in conjunction with the Special Interest Group on Pain in People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

It offers a comprehensive overview of current approaches and essential modifications for assessing and managing pain in individuals with limited verbal communication, such as those with dementia, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), cerebral palsy, or autism.

It begins with a foundational overview of the adaptations required to ensure effective pain assessment and treatment in these populations. The session will cover clinical assessment strategies, including both self-report (where possible) and observational tools as well as discuss the role of artificial intelligence, with practical demonstrations of validated scales and training modules.

The symposium will also introduce the application of Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) across multiple groups, demonstrating how this method can be adapted to individuals with limited verbal communication.

Finally, the critical role of caregivers in recognizing and managing pain will be addressed and be discussed, emphasizing how their involvement can enhance clinical outcomes in individuals with limited verbal communication.

Intended Audience: Clinical Practice, Cross-disciplinary, Clinical Research, Translational Research, Basic Science

Educational Objectives:

• Describe adapted approaches to pain assessment and management in patients with limited communication abilities
• Identify clinical and experimental pain assessment methods, including self-report, behavioral observation, AI and Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) suitable for older adults and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Discuss the challenges of assessing and treating pain in non-verbal or cognitively impaired individuals, including the role of caregivers in supporting effective pain management.

Speakers