Development of a Preliminary Collaborative Action Plan (CAP) for Care-Interfering Paratonia Using the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 2.0: A Pilot Study

Paratonia is a form of involuntary muscle resistance affecting virtually all individuals with late-stage dementia, causing significant morbidity, including pain, skin breakdown, and caregiver burden. Despite its near-universal prevalence, paratonia remains under-recognized, and no standardized screening tools exist within routine care assessments. Identifying care-interfering paratonia supports nonpharmacologic care, helps avoid misdirected treatments, and enables research into investigational therapies such as botulinum toxin A.