Behavioural treatment of somatic disorders in children and adolescents

During the past decade the field of behavioural medicine has developed rapidly and several somatic disorders in adults have been successfully treated. By contrast, the effects of behavioural interventions of somatic disorders in paediatric populations have been examined less extensively in controlled outcome research. The present review concerns the promising development and application of behavioural methods in the treatment of various somatic disorders in children and adolescents. The studies reviewed were required to be conducted on an individual or group basis and, in addition, to employ quasi-experimental or experimental designs. It is concluded that of psychological treatments, primarily behavioural approaches have proven to be effective for childhood disorders such as obesity, nocturnal enuresis and recurrent headaches. Further, in the treatment of recurrent abdominal pain and asthma in children, behavioural approaches have shown promising outcomes. This progress should alert the clinician and personnel in health care facilities to the contributions of behavioural paediatrics so that behavioural treatment methods may be utilized where appropriate.