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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
PAIC-15 is an observational pain-behavior instrument for people with cognitive impairment who cannot reliably self-report pain. It evaluates 15 behaviors across facial expressions, body movements, and vocalizations, each scored 0 to 3 for a total score range of 0 to 45.
Formula: PAIC-15 total = facial expressions (0-15) + body movements (0-15) + vocalizations (0-15), range 0-45.
PAIC-15 was developed from international expert consensus and psychometric work to harmonize observational pain assessment in cognitive impairment settings.
Higher PAIC-15 totals indicate greater observed pain-behavior burden and support closer pain-management evaluation.
Use in older adults with cognitive impairment or communication limitations when direct pain self-report is unreliable.
Behavioral signals are not pain-specific and may reflect delirium, anxiety, or other distress; repeated context-aware assessment is essential.
For related assessments, see PAINAD Scale, DoloPlus-2 and Abbey Pain Scale.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
Assess observational pain behaviors in advanced dementia using the 5-item PAINAD scale (0-10).
GeriatricsAssess observational pain burden in cognitively impaired older adults with the DoloPlus-2 (0-30).
GeriatricsScreen pain in people with severe dementia using the 6-domain Abbey Pain Scale (0-18).
EmergencyEstimate pain behavior in non-verbal or critically ill adults using CPOT domains (facial expression, body movement, muscle tension, and ventilator/vocalization).