Multi-Family Pediatric Pain Group Therapy: Capturing Acceptance and Cultivating Change

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Behavioral Health
• Chronic Pain Management

Background:

• Pediatric chronic pain affects numerous youth, necessitating effective behavioral health interventions.
• Existing therapies like CBT, ACT, and family-based approaches show promise, but multi-family therapy (MFT) literature is limited.
• The CAPTIVATE program integrated CBT, ACT, and MFT for youth with chronic pain and their families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility, engagement, and satisfaction of the CAPTIVATE program.
• To examine the psychological, behavioral, and interpersonal outcomes of the CAPTIVATE program.
• To assess the impact on disability, quality of life, pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach using quantitative and qualitative feedback to assess program utility, engagement, and satisfaction.
• Evaluation of pain-specific psychological, behavioral, and interpersonal processes.
• Assessment of outcomes including functional disability, pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

Main Results:

• Participants reported CAPTIVATE as constructive, engaging, and beneficial for social and family systems.
• Significant improvements were observed in pain catastrophizing, acceptance, and protective parenting (large effect sizes).
• Positive effects were noted for functional disability, pain interference, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary findings suggest CAPTIVATE is a promising group-based treatment option for pediatric chronic pain.
• The program demonstrated clinical and statistical improvements across multiple domains for youth and families.
• Further research is needed to compare CAPTIVATE to treatment as usual and analyze specific therapeutic components.