Parent and child perceptions of chronic pain treatments

This study examined parents' and children's perceptions of pain treatments in 297 patients presenting to a multidisciplinary tertiary pain clinic. Parents and children completed questionnaires regarding children's pain, and psychologists assessed patients' use of pain treatments. Medication, rest/sleep, and temperature therapies were the most commonly used treatments but were not expected to be most helpful for treating continued pain. Few parents and children used psychosocial treatments; however, parents cited learning to cope with pain as the treatment expected to be most helpful if children's pain continues. Recommendations for psychological treatment that are framed as coping skills training may be well-received by families.