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Published on: March 14, 2017
Daily coping practice predicts treatment effects in children with sickle cell disease
K M Gil1, K K Anthony, J W Carson
1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-3270, USA. kgil@email.unc.edu
Insights
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) who practiced pain coping skills showed improved pain management and fewer daily disruptions. Consistent skill practice led to reduced healthcare visits and school absences.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Pain Management
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common inherited blood disorder requiring effective pain management strategies.
- Coping skills interventions offer a non-pharmacological approach to managing chronic pain in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 1-month impact of a pain coping skills intervention for children diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD).
- To assess the effectiveness of learned coping strategies on daily functioning and healthcare utilization in pediatric SCD patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 46 African American children (aged 8-17) with SCD.
- Participants were assigned to either a coping skills intervention group or a standard care control group.
- The intervention group practiced daily coping skills (e.g., relaxation, imagery) using audiotaped instructions.
Main Results:
- Children in the coping intervention group reported a more active approach to pain management compared to the control group.
- Daily practice of coping strategies correlated with fewer healthcare contacts on pain days.
- Consistent skill use was associated with reduced school absences and less interference with household activities.
Conclusions:
- A brief pain coping skills intervention, with minimal therapist contact, can yield significant benefits for children with SCD.
- Consistent, daily practice of learned coping skills is crucial for maximizing positive outcomes in managing SCD pain and its associated burdens.
Objective:
To examine the 1-month effects of a pain coping skills intervention in children with sickle cell disease (SCD).
Methods:
Forty-six African American children (8-17 years old) were randomly assigned to either a coping skills condition or a standard care control condition. Children were asked to practice daily with audiotaped instructions of skills (e.g., relaxation, imagery).
Results:
Multivariate analyses of summary measures indicated that children in the coping intervention (versus control group) reported a significantly more active approach to managing pain. Multilevel random effects models applied to daily diary data indicated that on pain days when children practiced their strategies, they had fewer health care contacts, fewer school absences, and less interference with household activities than on days when they did not practice.
Conclusions:
Brief training in coping skills followed by minimal therapist contact may lead to a range of benefits when children practice with their skills on a consistent basis.
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