Pain in children with intellectual disabilities: a randomized controlled trial evaluating caregiver knowledge measures

Inadequate knowledge has contributed to inaccurate pain assessment and treatment for children with intellectual disabilities.

Aim: Develop and evaluate pain knowledge measures and accompanying self-report ratings; determine their sensitivity to change.

Materials & methods: Young adults (n = 77; M_age = 18.89; standard deviation = 2.29; 67 females) were randomly assigned to one of two 'caring for children with intellectual disabilities' training programs (pain and visual supports). Participants completed pre-post-measures of pain knowledge and six self-report ratings of feasibility, confidence and perceived skill in pain assessment and treatment.

Results: After controlling for pretraining scores, pain knowledge and self-report ratings were significantly higher following pain training versus visual support training.

Conclusion: These measures show promise for the evaluation of pain knowledge in secondary caregivers.