Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento observacional para la evaluación del bienestar en personas con demencia desde la perspectiva de la atención centrada en la persona: Listado de Indicadores de Bienestar / Development and validation of an observational tool for the assessment of well-being in people with dementia from the perspective of Person Centred Care: list of Well-being Indicators of Wellbeing

INTRODUCCIÓN: En el contexto del modelo de atención centrada en la persona, se expone la creación y validación de un instrumento observacional para la evaluación del bienestar en personas con demencia, desde una perspectiva que pretende destacar los efectos que el entorno físico y social tienen en la persona, y cómo se reflejan en su bienestar. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: El Listado de Indicadores de Bienestar (LIBE) se creó siguiendo un proceso inductivo iterativo con profesionales de distintas disciplinas, hasta llegar a la versión validada. Se validó en dos estudios sucesivos con una muestra de 79 personas con demencia. Se realizaron análisis de capacidad de discriminación de los indicadores que componen la escala, consistencia interna, fiabilidad interjueces, y validez convergente y discriminante. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo una consistencia interna α de Cronbach de 0,81. Respecto a la fiabilidad interjueces, el CCI hallado entre los 3 evaluadores fue significativo para todos los indicadores con puntuaciones entre 0,59 y 1,00. Se estudió la validez convergente comparando las puntuaciones en cada indicador de LIBE con las puntuaciones en cada ítem de QUALID, y se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre la categoría de respuesta en ciertos ítems de QUALID y la categoría de respuesta en ciertos indicadores de LIBE. Para la validez discriminante se compararon las puntuaciones obtenidas en cada indicador de LIBE con las puntuaciones en cada ítem de PAINAD-Sp, y no se encontró ninguna asociación significativa. CONCLUSIÓN: LIBE ofrece una medida observacional de conductas consideradas indicadores de bienestar en personas con demencia que viven en centros residenciales. Es un instrumento válido y fiable, que ofrece una perspectiva diferente de medida de un constructo poco explorado en las poblaciones con demencia. Es un instrumento fácil de aplicar, con distintos usos (clínicos, de intervención, de investigación), y aplicable por profesionales de distintas disciplinas

INTRODUCTION: Within the context of Person Centred Care, the present paper shows the creation and validation process of an observational tool for the assessment of the wellbeing of people with dementia, from a perspective that seeks to highlight the effects that the physical and social environment have on the person, and how these are reflected in the well-being. METHODS: The List of Wellbeing Indicators (LIBE) was created following an inductive iterative process with professionals from different disciplines, until the validated version was reached. It was then validated in two successive studies with a sample of 79 people with dementia. Discrimination capacity of the scale indicators, internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and convergent and divergent validity were determined. RESULTS: An internal consistency of Cronbach́s alpha 0.81 was obtained. The inter-rater reliability, analysing intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) within the 3 raters, was significant for all the indicators in the tool, with scores between 0.59-1.00. Convergent validity was studied comparing scores in each LIBE indicator with scores in each QUALID indicator, and some significant associations were found between response categories in both tools. For the discriminant validity, the scores obtained in each LIBE indicator were compared with the scores in each PAINAD-Sp item, and no significant associations were found. CONCLUSION: LIBE offers an observational measure of behaviours that can be considered well-being indicators in people with dementia living in residential care. LIBE is a valid and reliable tool that offers a different perspective of measuring a construct that has been infrequently explored in dementia population. Is also an easy to apply tool, with different uses (clinical, intervention, research), and applicable for professionals of several disciplines

[Development and validation of an observational tool for the assessment of well-being in people with dementia from the perspective of Person Centred Care: List of Well-being Indicators of Wellbeing]. / Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento observacional para la evaluación del bienestar en personas con demencia desde la perspectiva de la atención centrada en la persona: Listado de Indicadores de Bienestar.

INTRODUCTION: Within the context of Person Centred Care, the present paper shows the creation and validation process of an observational tool for the assessment of the wellbeing of people with dementia, from a perspective that seeks to highlight the effects that the physical and social environment have on the person, and how these are reflected in the well-being. METHODS: The List of Wellbeing Indicators (LIBE) was created following an inductive iterative process with professionals from different disciplines, until the validated version was reached. It was then validated in two successive studies with a sample of 79 people with dementia. Discrimination capacity of the scale indicators, internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and convergent and divergent validity were determined. RESULTS: An internal consistency of Cronbach́s alpha 0.81 was obtained. The inter-rater reliability, analysing intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) within the 3 raters, was significant for all the indicators in the tool, with scores between 0.59-1.00. Convergent validity was studied comparing scores in each LIBE indicator with scores in each QUALID indicator, and some significant associations were found between response categories in both tools. For the discriminant validity, the scores obtained in each LIBE indicator were compared with the scores in each PAINAD-Sp item, and no significant associations were found. CONCLUSION: LIBE offers an observational measure of behaviours that can be considered well-being indicators in people with dementia living in residential care. LIBE is a valid and reliable tool that offers a different perspective of measuring a construct that has been infrequently explored in dementia population. Is also an easy to apply tool, with different uses (clinical, intervention, research), and applicable for professionals of several disciplines.

Efectos de la visualización de contenidos personalizados a través de la realidad virtual, en el bienestar y la implicación de personas con demencia avanzada. Un estudio cualitativo de 4 casos / Effects of visualisation of personalised contents, presented using virtual reality, on the well-being and engagement of people with advanced dementia. A qualitative study of 4 cases

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Estudio Palidem: cuidados al final de la vida en pacientes con demencia avanzada institucionalizados / The Palidem study: care at the end of life in institutionalized patients with advanced dementia

OBJETIVO: Desarrollar un plan de atención específi co en pacientes con demencia avanzada institucionalizados, planificando los cuidados mediante el control sintomático, tomando decisiones con el cuidador principal, realizando un apoyo psicológico y espiritual. MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo de periodo en el Centro Txara 1, desde el 1 de julio de 2014 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2016, identifi cando a aquellos residentes con demencia avanzada y síndrome de declive. Se recoge trimestralmente el grado de control de síntomas (Symptom Management at the End-of-Life in Dementia) (SM-EOLD), utilizando la escala PAINAD para la valoración del dolor; el confort en el momento de la agonía se determina diariamente (The Comfort Assessment in Dying with Dementia) (CAD-EOLD), estableciendo con el cuidador principal la toma de decisiones basadas en los objetivos asistenciales paliativos. Tras el fallecimiento se realiza una encuesta de satisfacción al cuidador (Satisfaction with Care at the End-of-Life in Dementia) (SWC-EOLD) y contacto periódico con la pastoral para el apoyo espiritual. RESULTADOS: Se han analizado 74 residentes, con una edad media de 87 años, un 79 % mujeres, con 4,6 medicamentos de media, con enfermedad de Alzheimer como principal causa de demencia. En el control de síntomas en fase estable no se detecta inestabilidad física o conductual relevante, detectándose en un 5 % la presencia de dolor. De 50 residentes fallecidos, el 94 % sucede en el propio centro, en un 67 % se puede registrar el grado de confort destacando la presencia de disnea y disfagia, al ser la infección respiratoria aspirativa la principal causa de fallecimiento. En un 66 % de la población seleccionada se realiza atención espiritual. Un 30 % de los cuidadores principales responden a la encuesta de satisfacción, con un alto porcentaje de aceptación en el nivel de cuidados. CONCLUSIONES: La identificación de los pacientes con demencia avanzada en situación de final de vida permite estructurar un plan de atención en el centro gerontológico, conociendo las necesidades sintomáticas, el grado de confort o bienestar y consensuando las decisiones en cuanto a la proporcionalidad de cuidados con la familia. Ante situaciones de descompensación aguda, la coordinación con los recursos sociosanitarios disponibles es fundamental para poder llevar a cabo las decisiones adoptadas del equipo sanitario con el cuidador principal

OBJECTIVE: To develop a specific care plan for institutionalized patients with advanced dementia based on symptom control and including joint decision making with the primary caregiver as well as psychological and spiritual support. METHOD: A descriptive 1-period study at Centro Txara 1, from July 1 2014 to December 31 2016, which identified residents with advanced dementia and geriatric failure-to-thrive syndrome. Symtom control extent was quarterly assessed using the Symptom Management at the End-of-Life in Dementia (SM-EOLD) scale, and the PAINAD scale for pain; comfort at the end of life was assessed daily with the Comfort Assessment in Dying with Dementia (CAD-EOLD) instrument, and decisions were made jointly with the primary caregiver based on the goals of palliative care. After the death of the patient a satisfaction survey was administered to the caregiver (Satisfaction with Care at the End-of-Life in Dementia, SWC-EOLD), who was also provided with regular contact with the pastoral care team for spiritual support. RESULTS: A total of 74 residents were assessed with a mean age of 87 years; 79% were females, mean number of drugs was 4.6, and Alzheimer's disease was the primary cause of dementia. Stable-phase symptom control identified no relevant phisical or behavioral instability, but pain was found in 5% of the sample. Of 50 residents who passed away, 94% died in the hospice; in 67% comfort degree could be collected, and the presence of shortness of breath and dysphagia stood out, as aspiration-induced respiratory infection was the primary cause of death. Spiritual care was provided for 66% of the study population. In all, 30% of primary caregivers responded to the satisfaction survey showing a high percentage of acceptance of level of care. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying patients with advanced dementia at the end of life allows the development of a hospice care plan considering symptom needs, comfort degree and wellbeing, and involving consensus decisions about care proportionality with the family. Should an acute decompensation occur, coordination with the available social and healthcare resources is key for implementing the decisions agreed between the healthcare team and the primary caregiver

Evaluación cognitiva global en personas vascoparlantes con demencia en estadios avanzados. Validación al euskera de la escala Severe Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE-eus) / Overal cognitive assessment in Basque-speaking people with advanced dementia. Validation to the Basque language of the Severe Mini-Mental State Examination SMMSE (SMMSE-eus)

Introducción: La adaptación y validación al euskera de pruebas para la evaluación del deterioro cognitivo avanzado es una necesidad no cubierta para personas mayores vascoparlantes. El presente trabajo realiza el estudio de validación al euskera de la escala Severe Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE-eus). Material y métodos: En el estudio participaron 109 sujetos con demencia avanzada (MEC<15) clasificados según la escala de Deterioro global (GDS) con GDS 5-7 y que dominaban tanto el euskera como el castellano. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el SMMSE-eus muestra una alta consistencia interna (α=0,92), una buena fiablidad test-restest (r=0,88; p<0,01) y una alta fiabilidad interjueces (CCI=0,99; p<0,00) tanto para la puntuación global como para cada uno de los ítems. Conclusiones: Tanto la alta consistencia interna como el alto nivel de fiabilidad interjueces y los resultados obtenidos en el test-retest hacen del SMMSE-eus un instrumento apropiado como escala breve en la valoración del deterioro cognitivo grave de personas vascoparlantes. Por ello el SMMSE-eus puede ser considerado válido, fiable y una alternativa importante para evaluar en su lengua materna, en este caso en euskera, la capacidad cognitiva en personas con demencia avanzada

Introduction: Adaptation and validation to the Basque language of tests to assess advanced cognitive impairment is a not covered need for Basque-speaking people. The present work shows the validation of the Basque version of the Severe Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE). Material and methods: A total of 109 people with advanced dementia (MEC<15) took part in the validation study, and were classified as GDS 5-7 on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). All participants were Spanish-Basque bilingual. Results: It was shown that SMMSE-eus has a high internal consistency (alpha=0.92), a good test-retest reliability (r=0.88; P<.01), and a high inter-rater reliability (CCI=0.99; P<.00) for the overall score, as well as for each item. Conclusions: Both the high internal consistency and inter-rater reliability, and to a lesser extent, test-retest reliability, made the SMMSE-eus a valid test for the brief assessment of cognitive status in people with advanced dementia in Basque-speaking people. For this reason, the SMMSE-eus is a usable and reliable alternative for assessing Basque-speaking people in their mother-tongue, or preferred language

[Overal cognitive assessment in Basque-speaking people with advanced dementia. Validation to the Basque language of the Severe Mini-Mental State Examination SMMSE (SMMSE-eus)]. / Evaluación cognitiva global en personas vascoparlantes con demencia en estadios avanzados. Validación al euskera de la escala Severe Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE-eus).

INTRODUCTION: Adaptation and validation to the Basque language of tests to assess advanced cognitive impairment is a not covered need for Basque-speaking people. The present work shows the validation of the Basque version of the Severe Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 109 people with advanced dementia (MEC<15) took part in the validation study, and were classified as GDS 5-7 on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). All participants were Spanish-Basque bilingual. RESULTS: It was shown that SMMSE-eus has a high internal consistency (alpha=0.92), a good test-retest reliability (r=0.88; P<.01), and a high inter-rater reliability (CCI=0.99; P<.00) for the overall score, as well as for each item. CONCLUSIONS: Both the high internal consistency and inter-rater reliability, and to a lesser extent, test-retest reliability, made the SMMSE-eus a valid test for the brief assessment of cognitive status in people with advanced dementia in Basque-speaking people. For this reason, the SMMSE-eus is a usable and reliable alternative for assessing Basque-speaking people in their mother-tongue, or preferred language.

Validez y fiabilidad de la versión española de la escala ‘perfil de deterioro cognitivo grave’ (SCIP) para la evaluación cognitiva de personas con enfermedad de Alzheimer en estadios avanzados / The validity and reliability of the Spanish version of the Severe Cognitive Impairment Profile (SCIP) for the cognitive assessment of persons with advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease

Introducción. Existen pocas herramientas validadas al castellano para realizar una evaluación precisa del funcionamiento cognitivo de personas con demencias avanzadas. Esta población supone un reto por el elevado número de personas que alcanzan estos estadios y por la complejidad de cuidados que requieren. Este trabajo presenta la validación al castellano de un instrumento, la escala ‘perfil de deterioro cognitivo grave’ (SCIP), que permite la evaluación del funcionamiento cognitivo de personas con enfermedad de Alzheimer avanzada. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio transversal con 133 sujetos (29 hombres y 104 mujeres; edad media: 81,61 ± 7,41 años) con diagnóstico de enfermedad de Alzheimer en estadios de moderado a muy grave, según la escala de deterioro global (GDS 5-7). Se realizaron análisis de discriminación de los ítems, estudio de la consistencia interna y fiabilidad interjueces y testretest, y se contrastó la estructura factorial y la validez del instrumento. Resultados. Sólo el 1% de los 160 ítems de la escala resultó no discriminativo. La consistencia interna de la escala es adecuada, así como la fiabilidad interjueces y test-retest. Respecto a la validez de constructo, la correlación con el miniexamen cognitivo es 0,74 (p < 0,01), y se encuentran diferencias significativas entre la escala SCIP y los tres niveles de la GDS analizados. La estructura factorial de la escala muestra la existencia de un solo factor que explica el 66,12% de la varianza. Conclusión. La escala SCIP es un instrumento útil, fiable y válido para la evaluación exhaustiva en castellano de las funciones cognitivas en personas con demencia en estadios de moderado a muy grave (AU)

Introduction. Few validated tools exist in Spanish for conducting a precise assessment of the cognitive functioning of persons with advanced dementia. This population is a challenge due to the large number of persons who reach these states and owing to the complexity of the care that they require. This study presents a validated Spanish version of an instrument, the Severe Cognitive Impairment Profile (SCIP), which allows assessment of the cognitive functioning of persons with advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Patients and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 133 subjects (29 males and 104 females; mean age: 81.61 ± 7.41 years) diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in moderate to very severe stages, according to the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS 5-7). The following were performed: discrimination analyses of the items, a study of the internal consistency and interrater reliability and test-retest. Likewise, the factorial structure and the validity of the instrument were also tested. Results. Only 1% of the 160 items on the scale were found to be non-discriminatory. The internal consistency of the scale is adequate, as is the interrater and the test-retest reliability. As regards the validity of the construct, the correlation with the mini-mental state examination is 0.74 (p < 0.01) and significant differences are found between the SCIP and the three levels of the GDS that were analysed. The factorial structure of the scales shows the existence of a single factor that accounts for 66.12% of the variance. Conclusions. The SCIP scale is a useful, reliable and valid instrument for the exhaustive evaluation in Spanish of the cognitive functions of persons with dementia in moderate to very severe states (AU)

Efectos del Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona en la calidad de vida de personas con deterioro cognitivo de centros gerontológicos / Effects from the Person Centered-Care Model on quality of life of cognitive impaired persons from gerontological centers

Introducción. El Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona ha suscitado creciente interés para su aplicación en centros gerontológicos. Sin embargo, hay escasas aportaciones sobre su impacto en nuestro contexto. El objetivo del trabajo consiste en establecer las consecuencias que para la calidad de vida de residentes con deterioro cognitivo, tienen las intervenciones asociadas al Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona en el Proyecto «Etxean Ondo». Material y métodos. Se seleccionó a 119 residentes con deterioro cognitivo, 59 en el grupo control y 60 en el grupo experimental. Los sujetos de cada grupo fueron distribuidos según su deterioro cognitivo: leve o grave. Se implantaron cambios en los entornos físico, y organizativo para la promoción de autonomía y bienestar. Se evaluó la calidad de vida, antes de las intervenciones y 6 meses después, utilizándose las escalas Fumat (deterioro cognitivo leve) y Qualid (deterioro cognitivo grave). Se utilizó t de Student para las comparaciones de medias. Resultados. En las comparaciones intergrupo, se identificaron diferencias significativas en la escala Fumat a favor del grupo control con deterioro cognitivo leve. Estas diferencias no se registraron en la evaluación posterior. El grupo experimental con deterioro cognitivo grave mejoró significativamente en la escala Qualid en la evaluación posterior. En las comparaciones intragrupo, se registraron mejoras significativas en la calidad de vida de los sujetos del grupo experimental, tanto con deterioro cognitivo grave como leve. Conclusiones. Los hallazgos avalan la efectividad de las intervenciones e identifican cuestiones metodológicas y conceptuales que deberán considerarse en el análisis de los efectos del Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona (AU)

Introduction. The Model of Person Centered Care has attracted increasing interest for use in gerontology centers. Therefore, the contributions about its impact are scarce in our context. The objective of this paper is to establish the impact that the interventions associated with the Model of Person Centered Care in the «Etxean Ondo» Project have on the quality of life of residents with cognitive impairment. Material and methods. One hundred and ninetten residents with cognitive impairment were selected: 59 in the control group and 60 in the experimental group. Subjects in each group were sorted by cognitive impairment: mild or severe. Changes were implemented in the physical and organizational environments for the promotion of autonomy and wellbeing. Quality of life was assessed before and 6 months after intervention using the Fumat Scales (mild cognitive impairment) and Qualid (severe cognitive impairment). The t-Student test was used for comparison of means. Results. In intergroup comparisons, significant differences in the Fumat Scale for the control group with mild cognitive impairment were initially identified. These differences were not recorded in the post assessment. The experimental group with severe cognitive impairment was significantly improved in the Qualid Scale post assessment. In intragroup comparisons, significant improvements were evident in the quality of life of experimental subjects, both with severe cognitive impairment (Qualid) and mild (Fumat). Conclusions. The findings support the effectiveness of the interventions and identify methodological and conceptual issues that have been considered to analyze the Model of Person Centered Care efects (AU)

[Effects from the Person Centered-Care Model on quality of life of cognitive impaired persons from gerontological centers]. / Efectos del Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona en la calidad de vida de personas con deterioro cognitivo de centros gerontológicos.

INTRODUCTION: The Model of Person Centered Care has attracted increasing interest for use in gerontology centers. Therefore, the contributions about its impact are scarce in our context. The objective of this paper is to establish the impact that the interventions associated with the Model of Person Centered Care in the «Etxean Ondo¼ Project have on the quality of life of residents with cognitive impairment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and ninetten residents with cognitive impairment were selected: 59 in the control group and 60 in the experimental group. Subjects in each group were sorted by cognitive impairment: mild or severe. Changes were implemented in the physical and organizational environments for the promotion of autonomy and wellbeing. Quality of life was assessed before and 6 months after intervention using the Fumat Scales (mild cognitive impairment) and Qualid (severe cognitive impairment). The t-Student test was used for comparison of means. RESULTS: In intergroup comparisons, significant differences in the Fumat Scale for the control group with mild cognitive impairment were initially identified. These differences were not recorded in the post assessment. The experimental group with severe cognitive impairment was significantly improved in the Qualid Scale post assessment. In intragroup comparisons, significant improvements were evident in the quality of life of experimental subjects, both with severe cognitive impairment (Qualid) and mild (Fumat). CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the effectiveness of the interventions and identify methodological and conceptual issues that have been considered to analyze the Model of Person Centered Care efects.

Adaptación y validación de la versión española de la escala de evaluación de dolor en personas con demencia avanzada: PAINAD-Sp / Adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Pain Evaluation Scale in patients with advanced dementia: PAINAD-Sp

Introducción. El dolor está considerado como un grave problema en el entorno residencial afectando entre un 49 y un 83% de los residentes. El proceso evolutivo de la enfermedad de Alzheimer puede conllevar dificultades de comunicación y comprensión de las escalas de evaluación de dolor, dificultando su evaluación y tratamiento. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue validar la versión española del PAINAD (PAINAD-Sp) y evaluar su aplicabilidad en un Centro Gerontológico en España. Material y métodos. Veinte usuarias diagnosticadas de demencia avanzada fueron observadas por 5 observadores con diferentes perfiles profesionales durante 5 min en 3 condiciones: reposo, durante actividad agradable y en situación de dolor. La PAINAD-Sp fue administrada simultáneamente a una escala analógica visual. Resultados. Los resultados muestran que el alfa de Cronbach se encontraba entre 0,467 y 0,827 (con una media de 0,692, que subía si el ítem de respiración se eliminaba). La fiabilidad interjueces variaba entre 0,587 y 0,956. La correlación entre la medida total en PAINAD-Sp y en una Escala Visual Analógica fue estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,05) en todas las medidas y variaba entre 0,517 y 0,868. Conclusiones. Los resultados del estudio muestran que la escala PAINAD-Sp es eficaz para medir el dolor en personas con demencia sin capacidad de comunicación. Esta escala puede ser usada por diferentes profesionales de la salud con poco entrenamiento y presenta una buena fiabilidad (AU)

Introduction. Pain in elderly people is considered a major concern in nursing home facilities affecting between 49% and 83% of the residents. Progression of Alzheimer's Disease causes more communication difficulties in patients with advanced dementia and therefore more problems to understand even the most simple pain evaluation scales. Identification and implementation of appropriate pain management strategies depends on an adequate pain assessment. Material and methods. The main objective of the study was to validate the Spanish version of the PAINAD Scale (PAINAD-Sp) and to assess its applicability in Spanish Geriatric Nursing Homes. The 20 patients diagnosed with severe dementia from a Geriatric Centre in Spain were observed by five observers with different professional profiles for 5 minutes to each participant, and PAINAD-Sp Scale was administered simultaneously to a Visual Analogical Scale-VAS. Three different observational conditions were established: resting condition, during presumably pleasant activity and during presumable painful activity. Results. Cronbach's alpha ranged between 0.467 and 0.827 (average 0.692), and rose if Breathing item was deleted. Inter-rater reliability ranged between 0.587 and 0.956. Correlation between PAINAD-Sp Scale total measures and VAS was statistically significant (P<.05) in all measures and ranged from 0.517 to 0.868. Conclusions. Findings in the study showed that the scale is useful to measure pain in non communicative patients suffering from dementia. The scale maintains good levels of reliability for different healthcare professionals even when they have little training (AU)

[Adaptation and validation of the Spanish version of the Pain Evaluation Scale in patients with advanced dementia: PAINAD-Sp]. / Adaptación y validación de la versión española de la escala de evaluación de dolor en personas con demencia avanzada: PAINAD-Sp.

INTRODUCTION: Pain in elderly people is considered a major concern in nursing home facilities affecting between 49% and 83% of the residents. Progression of Alzheimer's Disease causes more communication difficulties in patients with advanced dementia and therefore more problems to understand even the most simple pain evaluation scales. Identification and implementation of appropriate pain management strategies depends on an adequate pain assessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The main objective of the study was to validate the Spanish version of the PAINAD Scale (PAINAD-Sp) and to assess its applicability in Spanish Geriatric Nursing Homes. The 20 patients diagnosed with severe dementia from a Geriatric Centre in Spain were observed by five observers with different professional profiles for 5 minutes to each participant, and PAINAD-Sp Scale was administered simultaneously to a Visual Analogical Scale-VAS. Three different observational conditions were established: resting condition, during presumably pleasant activity and during presumable painful activity. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha ranged between 0.467 and 0.827 (average 0.692), and rose if Breathing item was deleted. Inter-rater reliability ranged between 0.587 and 0.956. Correlation between PAINAD-Sp Scale total measures and VAS was statistically significant (P<.05) in all measures and ranged from 0.517 to 0.868. CONCLUSIONS: Findings in the study showed that the scale is useful to measure pain in non communicative patients suffering from dementia. The scale maintains good levels of reliability for different healthcare professionals even when they have little training.

Evaluación breve del estado cognitivo de la demencia en estadios avanzados: resultados preliminares de la validación española del Severe Mini-Mental State Examination / Short evaluation of cognitive state in advanced stages of dementia: preliminary results of the Spanish validation of the Severe Mini-Mental State Examination

Introducción. La evaluación cognitiva de pacientes con demencias avanzadas es una necesidad no cubierta de forma adecuada, por lo que es necesario desarrollar herramientas que permitan obtener información del estado cognitivo y los recursos con los que aún cuentan estos sujetos. El presente trabajo realiza el estudio de validación al castellano de la escala Severe Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE). Material y métodos. Participaron 47 sujetos con demencia avanzada (Mini-Examen Cognoscitivo [MEC] < 11), evaluados con las escalas Global Deterioration Scale de Reisberg, MEC, SMMSE y Severe Cognitive Impairment Profile. Resultados. Todos los ítems que componen la prueba mostraron una buena capacidad de diferenciación. La prueba mostró una alta consistencia interna (α=0,88), y buena fiabilidad test-retest (0,64-1,00; p<0,01) e interjueces (0,69-1,00; p<0,01), tanto para la puntuación total como para cada uno de los ítems. La validez de constructo se analizó mediante la correlación con el MEC (r=0,59; p<0,01). Además, se dividió la muestra entre sujetos con MEC 0-5 y MEC>5, hallando que la correlación entre las puntuaciones en SMMSE y MEC era significativa en el grupo de MEC 0-5 (r=0,55; p<0,05), mientras que no lo era en aquellos con MEC>5. Asimismo se encontraron diferencias de puntuación en SMMSE, pero no en MEC, entre los tres grupos de GDS (5, 6 y 7) (H=11,1; p<0,05). Conclusiones. El SMMSE es un instrumento de evaluación del deterioro cognitivo avanzado que amplía el rango inferior de medida del MEC evitando el «efecto suelo». A partir de nuestros resultados el instrumento puede ser considerado válido y fiable, así como rápido y fácil de administrar(AU)

Introduction. The cognitive assessment of patients with advanced dementia needs proper screening instruments that allow obtain information about the cognitive state and resources that these individuals still have. The present work conducts a Spanish validation study of the Severe Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE). Material and methods. Forty-seven patients with advanced dementia (Mini-Cognitive Examination [MEC]<11) were evaluated with the Reisberg's Global Deterioration Scale, MEC, SMMSE and Severe Cognitive Impairment Profile scales. Results. All test items were discriminative. The test showed high internal (α=0.88), test-retest (0.64 to 1.00, P<.01) and between observers reliabilities (0.69-1.00, p<0.01), both for scores total and for each item separately. Construct validity was tested through correlations between the instrument and MEC scores (r=0.59, P< 0 .01). Further information on the construct validity was obtained by dividing the sample into groups that scored above or below 5 points in the MEC and recalculating their correlations with SMMSE. The correlation between the scores in the SMMSE and MEC was significant in the MEC 0-5 group (r=0.55, P<.05), but not in the MEC>5 group. Additionally, differences in scores were found in the SMMSE, but not in the MEC, between the three GDS groups (5, 6 and 7) (H=11.1, P<.05). Conclusions. The SMMSE is an instrument for the assessment of advanced cognitive impairment which prevents the floor effect through an extension of lower measurement range relative to that of the MEC. From our results, this rapid screening tool and easy to administer, can be considered valid and reliable(AU)

[Short evaluation of cognitive state in advanced stages of dementia: preliminary results of the Spanish validation of the Severe Mini-Mental State Examination]. / Evaluación breve del estado cognitivo de la demencia en estadios avanzados: resultados preliminares de la validación española del Severe Mini-Mental State Examination.

INTRODUCTION: The cognitive assessment of patients with advanced dementia needs proper screening instruments that allow obtain information about the cognitive state and resources that these individuals still have. The present work conducts a Spanish validation study of the Severe Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients with advanced dementia (Mini-Cognitive Examination [MEC]<11) were evaluated with the Reisberg's Global Deterioration Scale, MEC, SMMSE and Severe Cognitive Impairment Profile scales. RESULTS: All test items were discriminative. The test showed high internal (α=0.88), test-retest (0.64 to 1.00, P<.01) and between observers reliabilities (0.69-1.00, p<0.01), both for scores total and for each item separately. Construct validity was tested through correlations between the instrument and MEC scores (r=0.59, P<0.01). Further information on the construct validity was obtained by dividing the sample into groups that scored above or below 5 points in the MEC and recalculating their correlations with SMMSE. The correlation between the scores in the SMMSE and MEC was significant in the MEC 0-5 group (r=0.55, P<.05), but not in the MEC>5 group. Additionally, differences in scores were found in the SMMSE, but not in the MEC, between the three GDS groups (5, 6 and 7) (H=11.1, P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: The SMMSE is an instrument for the assessment of advanced cognitive impairment which prevents the floor effect through an extension of lower measurement range relative to that of the MEC. From our results, this rapid screening tool and easy to administer, can be considered valid and reliable.

A randomized, two-year study of the efficacy of cognitive intervention on elderly people: the Donostia Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Research on non-pharmacological therapies (cognitive rehabilitation) in old age has been very limited, and most has not considered the effect of interventions of this type over extended periods of time. OBJECTIVE: To investigate a new cognitive therapy in a randomized study with elderly people who did not suffer cognitive impairment. METHODS: The efficacy of this therapy was evaluated by means of post-hoc analysis of 238 people using biomedical, cognitive, behavioural, quality of life (QoL), subjective memory, and affective assessments. RESULTS: Scores for learning potential and different types of memory (working memory, immediate memory, logic memory) for the treatment group improved significantly relative to the untreated controls. CONCLUSIONS: The most significant finding in this study was that learning potential continued at enhanced levels in trained subjects over an intervention period lasting two years, thereby increasing rehabilitation potential and contributing to successful ageing.