Scholars@Duke publication: A virtual program to teach pain coping skills to dyads of caregivers and Veterans with dementia or mild cognitive impairment: Preliminary quantitative and qualitative findings.

A virtual program to teach pain coping skills to dyads of caregivers and Veterans with dementia or mild cognitive impairment: Preliminary quantitative and qualitative findings.

Publication , Journal Article

Weiner, DK; Engel, I; Hamm, M; Cardamone, C; Rossi, MI; Perera, S; Ramos, K; Porter, LS

Published in: Palliat Support Care

April 8, 2026

Published version (DOI) Open Access Copy (Duke) Link to item

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a clinical program designed to teach informal caregivers of older Veterans with pain and mild-to-moderate dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), pain management, pain coping and pain communication skills. METHODS: Twenty caregivers of older Veterans with pain and dementia or MCI and the Veterans themselves participated in a 5-session program taught by trained Veterans Affairs (VA) clinicians. All sessions were conducted remotely using video-technology, with caregivers and Veterans. Two sessions were conducted with individual Veteran-caregiver dyads, and three sessions were conducted with caregiver groups. Caregivers and Veterans completed baseline and post-intervention measures. Qualitative interviews of 10 caregivers who completed the program were also conducted and focused on identifying themes related to caregiving for their loved ones with pain and dementia and related to participating in the program. RESULTS: The program was well received and almost all caregivers identified videoconferencing as the preferred venue for participating in such a program. They most valued learning about dementia and participating with other caregivers. Pre-post analyses revealed significant improvements in perceived caregiving competence and self-efficacy for managing pain. Challenges encountered included scheduling related to caregivers' multiple competing responsibilities and lack of familiarity with tele-conferencing technology. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Patients with pain and mild to moderate dementia or MCI have been relatively ignored in current literature. Our preliminary findings suggest that a program delivered by trained healthcare professionals to caregivers and Veterans using tele-conferencing could benefit caregivers.