DISTRESSED - A feasibility study of a novel distress recognition tool.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Dementia Inpatient Study on The Recognition and Evaluation of Signs Signalling Emotional Distress (DISTRESSED). A feasibility study to observe the use and usefulness of a novel distress recognition tool.
IRAS ID
216613
Contact name
George Crowther
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
LP16/87666, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust R&I reference number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 16 days
Research summary
Dementia effects around 42% of elderly people admitted to hospital. The symptoms of dementia often mean the person is unable to communicate their needs verbally to healthcare professionals (HCPs) as easily as patients without dementia. People with dementia in hospital are also more susceptible to disorientation, pain, psychological symptoms and delirium. Systems are in place to identify and treat these problems, but if left unrecognised they can cause distress. We have previously demonstrated that distress in this setting is under recognised, and the systems designed to alleviate it are underutilised.
Based on a piece of qualitative work carried out by his team which identified barriers and facilitators for distress recognition, we have developed a screening tool to help HCPs recognise distress in dementia; the Distress Recognition Tool (DRT). The tool is designed to be part of routine care and utilises HCPs innate ability to recognise distress. It also asks the usual carers of the person with dementia to give their impression when they visit. If distress is identified the tool signposts the user to the existing ward systems to help the person with dementia. We have refined this tool through focus groups with healthcare professionals and groups of carers of people with dementia.
To see if the tool is usable in its intended environment, and to model its use and potential outcomes we aim to run a short feasibility trial on two wards, introducing it into the routine care of people with dementia who are admitted.
We will record how regularly the tool is used, and observe its mechanisms of impact on the care received by the person with dementia. In addition we aim get feedback on the tool from those using it, by conducting short interviews with HCPs and usual carers of people with dementia visiting the ward.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0478
Date of REC Opinion
2 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion