Pain, Cognition, and Dementia: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND: A growing number of studies suggest that people with dementia suffer from problems in various cognitive domains that can be exacerbated by pain. Additionally, research has identified cultural differences in pain reports.
AIMS: This scoping review aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on pain by providing a broad perspective that considers the intricate interplay between cultural and cognitive factors. By synthesising existing literature, the review seeks to stimulate further inquiry and foster a more holistic understanding of pain experiences across diverse populations.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to better understand which components of cognition may be particularly affected by pain in dementia and what tools are used to explore this association, to highlight key gaps in knowledge. We retrieved 922 potentially eligible articles, 107 met the criteria for inclusion and 75 provided data for extraction.

RESULTS: There is evidence that in people with dementia, cognitive impairment can be exacerbated in the presence of pain, and that pain, cognition, and culture can impair people's communication skills.

CONCLUSIONS: While there is evidence that there is some correlation between pain and cognition in dementia, the reasons for this are unclear. There is a need for more research looking into the ways in which having a pain condition impacts on the cognitive aspects of pain communication and management in individuals with dementia.