Psychological interventions with children and adolescents: evidence for their effectiveness in treating chronic pain

Abstract

Psychological interventions are an integral component of treatment programs for chronic pain in children and adolescents. However, the evidence base supporting their efficacy varies widely. Although strong and consistent evidence supports the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions for relieving children’s headache, the evidence base supporting the use of cognitive and behavioral interventions for relieving other types of chronic pain is weak, as assessed by the number of controlled trials that have been conducted in children and by the few types of chronic pain that have been formally studied. Empirical support for most psychological interventions targeting nonheadache chronic pain derives from anecdotal reports and case studies. In this study we review this evidence, identify specific gaps in our knowledge base, and recommend practical strategies to obtain critical information about which therapies are best for which children and for which types of chronic pain.