A Single-Arm Feasibility Trial of Problem-Solving Skills Training for Parents of Children with Idiopathic Chronic Pain Conditions Receiving Intensive Pain Rehabilitation

J Pediatr Psychol. 2017 May 1;42(4):422-433. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsw087.

Abstract

Objective: To adapt problem-solving skills training (PSST) for parents of children receiving intensive pain rehabilitation and evaluate treatment feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction.

Methods: Using a prospective single-arm case series design, we evaluated the feasibility of delivering PSST to 26 parents (84.6% female) from one of three pediatric pain rehabilitation programs.

Results: Parents completed four to six sessions of PSST delivered during a 2-4-week period. A mixed-methods approach was used to assess treatment acceptability and satisfaction. We also assessed changes in parent mental health and behavior outcomes from pretreatment to immediate posttreatment and 3-month follow-up. Parents demonstrated excellent treatment adherence and rated the intervention as highly acceptable and satisfactory. Preliminary analyses indicated improvements in domains of mental health, parenting behaviors, health status, and problem-solving skills.

Conclusions: Findings demonstrate the potential role of psychological interventions directed at reducing parent distress in the context of intensive pediatric pain rehabilitation.

Keywords: : adolescents; children; chronic and recurrent pain; intervention outcome; mental health; parents.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Chronic Pain / psychology
  • Chronic Pain / rehabilitation*
  • Education, Nonprofessional / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parenting / psychology*
  • Parents / education*
  • Parents / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Satisfaction / statistics & numerical data
  • Problem Solving*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome