Targeting Pain Science Education With a Children's Book: A Single Case Experimental Design (SCED) Study With a Sham...

To assess perceived changes in children's understanding of the pain-damage relationship and the brain's influence on pain following exposure to sham and pain science education (PSE) books.

A series of single-case experimental designs were replicated across 17 children (8-12 years), with and without chronic pain, over six weeks. Following baseline, participants received a sham book and then a PSE book. The Concept of Pain Inventory (COPI) (total and selected items) and qualitative interviews (child and interviewer) assessed conceptual change and book acceptability.

COPI scores for three targeted items fluctuated but generally increased after the PSE book for both groups, suggesting improved understanding. Discrepancies between COPI responses and interview data occurred in 88% of children, indicating varied perspectives on the nature and extent of conceptual change. The PSE book was found to be acceptable and was preferred by most children.

Children's understanding of core pain science concepts can improve with targeted, book-based PSE. The dynamic nature of conceptual change and observed discrepancies between quantitative and qualitative assessment methods underscore the value of using multiple approaches to evaluate learning in pediatric PSE.