Impact of a Functional Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Management Program For Adolescents And Their Parents

Friday, November 11, 2022

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Presenter(s)

Diane K. Amstutz, PhD

pediatric clinical psychologist
Shirley Ryan Abilitylab
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Slides
CV

Cara Vernacchia

Resident Physician
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Illinois, United States
Ben Katholi, MD (he/him/his)

Pediatric Rehabilitation
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Moderator(s)

Gadi Revivo, DO

Section Chief, Pediatric Innovation Center
SRALAB
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Presenter(s)

Wendy Wurtzel, PT, DPT, OCS (she/her/hers)

Senior Physical Therapist
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Chronic pain is a serious public health problem in the United States costing $19.5 billion annually. Pediatric chronic pain negatively affects quality of life, and is associated with functional disability, depressive and anxiety symptoms, sleep disturbances, fatigue, reduced social interactions, and deceased school performance. Shirley Ryan Abilitylab provides an interdisciplinary pain management program with a goal of returning adolescents to valued activities. Following treatment, all children showed significant improvements in pain, physical functioning, and emotional functioning. Parents also showed improvements in behavioral and emotional functioning following their child’s participation in the program. Future directions need to consider the application of these treatment principles to adolescents presenting with features of long COVID. Many of the symptoms of long COVID are similar to those of chronic pain. Further research into the physical and emotional effects of long COVID on both adolescents and their parents would help guide effective treatment of these individuals

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participant will be able to describe the impact of chronic pain on adolescents and their parents.
Upon completion, participant will be able to describe the components of an interdisciplinary chronic pain management program for treating adolescents.
Upon completion, participant will be able to discuss how interdisciplinary treatment can impact the outcome of adolescents with chronic pain and affect their parents.
Upon completion, participant will be able to describe how symptoms of long COVID are similar to symptoms seen in adolescents with chronic pain.