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Chronic musculoskeletal pain in children: assessment and management

Jacqui Clinch1, Christopher Eccleston

  • 1Bath Centre for Pain Services, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath, UK. jacqui.clinch@ubht.nhs.uk

Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|February 10, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Childhood chronic pain requires early intervention. Targeted psychological and physical therapies, alongside parental involvement, are key for managing pain and disability in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Rheumatology
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Children frequently present with pain, with a subset developing complex chronic pain conditions.
  • Epidemiological studies highlight the prevalence of clinically relevant pain and disability in children.
  • Early recognition and intervention are crucial for managing childhood pain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of the assessment and management of childhood chronic musculoskeletal pain.
  • To synthesize current research findings on childhood chronic pain.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological, etiological, and rehabilitation studies on childhood pain.
  • Analysis of research findings on pain assessment and management strategies.

Main Results:

  • Limited evidence supports most pharmacotherapy for chronic pain in children.
  • Strong evidence supports early, targeted psychological and physical interventions.
  • Parental education and involvement are essential for sustained progress.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of childhood chronic pain relies on a multidisciplinary approach.
  • Early, targeted interventions and parental engagement are vital for improving outcomes.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of pharmacotherapy.

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