Perceptions of Adolescents With Chronic Pain About Peer Support: Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Social challenges are a common experience for adolescents with chronic pain. Group peer support for these adolescents could be a promising intervention; however, no studies have focused exclusively on the peer support needs of this population. The present study addressed this gap in the literature. METHODS: Adolescents with chronic pain between 12 and 17 years of age completed a virtual interview and demographics questionnaire. Interviews were analyzed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen adolescents (Mage: 15.21 years; 9 females; 3 males, 1 nonbinary, 1 gender questioning) with chronic pain participated. Three themes were generated: "Being Misunderstood," "They Would Understand Me," and "Moving Forward Together in Our Pain Journeys." Adolescents with chronic pain feel misunderstood and under supported by their peers without pain leading to feeling "othered" by having to explain their pain, yet not feeling free to talk about their pain with friends. Adolescents with chronic pain expressed that peer support would provide the forms of social support they are missing amongst their friends without pain as well as companionship and a sense of belonging due to shared knowledge and experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with chronic pain desire peer support from others like themselves, highlighting the challenges in their everyday friendships as the impetus for this support, as well as their anticipated short- and long-term benefits, including learning from their peers and developing new friendships. Findings indicate that adolescents with chronic pain may benefit from group peer support. Findings will inform the development of a peer support intervention for this population.

Elective surgery in ankle and foot disorders-best practices for management of pain: a guideline for clinicians.

PURPOSE: Complex elective foot and ankle surgeries are often associated with severe pain pre- and postoperatively. When inadequately managed, chronic postsurgical pain and long-term opioid use can result. As no standards currently exist, we aimed to develop best practice pain management guidelines. METHODS: A local steering committee (n = 16) surveyed 116 North American foot and ankle surgeons to understand the "current state" of practice. A multidisciplinary expert panel (n = 35) was then formed consisting of orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, chronic pain physicians, primary care physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, physiotherapists, and clinical psychologists. Each expert provided up to three pain management recommendations for each of the presurgery, intraoperative, inpatient postoperative, and postdischarge periods. These preliminary recommendations were reduced, refined, and sent to the expert panel and "current state" survey respondents to create a consensus document using a Delphi process conducted from September to December 2020. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred and five preliminary statements were summarized into 51 statements. Strong consensus (≥ 80% respondent agreement) was achieved in 53% of statements including the following: postsurgical opioid use risk should be assessed preoperatively; opioid-naïve patients should not start opioids preoperatively unless non-opioid multimodal analgesia fails; and if opioids are prescribed at discharge, patients should receive education regarding importance of tapering opioid use. There was no consensus regarding opioid weaning preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Using multidisciplinary experts and a Delphi process, strong consensus was achieved in many areas, showing considerable agreement despite limited evidence for standardized pain management in patients undergoing complex elective foot and ankle surgery. No consensus on important issues related to opioid prescribing and cessation highlights the need for research to determine best practice.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Les chirurgies électives complexes du pied et de la cheville sont souvent associées à une douleur intense avant et après l'opération. Lorsque cette douleur est mal prise en charge, elle peut entraîner une douleur postopératoire chronique et une consommation d'opioïdes à long terme. Comme il n'existe actuellement aucune norme, nous avons cherché à élaborer des lignes directrices sur les meilleures pratiques en matière de prise en charge de la douleur. MéTHODE: Un comité directeur local (n = 16) a interrogé 116 chirurgiens nord-américains spécialistes du pied et de la cheville pour comprendre « l'état actuel ¼ de la pratique. Un groupe d'experts multidisciplinaire (n = 35) a ensuite été formé, composé de chirurgiens orthopédistes, d'anesthésiologistes, de médecins spécialistes de la douleur chronique, de médecins de soins primaires, de pharmaciens, d'infirmières autorisées, de physiothérapeutes et de psychologues cliniciens. Chaque expert a fourni jusqu'à trois recommandations de prise en charge de la douleur pour chacune des périodes suivantes : en préchirurgie, en peropératoire, pendant l'hospitalisation postopératoire et après le congé. Ces recommandations préliminaires ont été réduites, affinées et envoyées au groupe d'experts et aux répondants du sondage sur « l'état actuel ¼ afin de créer un document de consensus à l'aide d'une méthode de Delphi réalisée entre septembre et décembre 2020. RéSULTATS: Mille quatre cent cinq déclarations préliminaires ont été résumées en 51 énoncés. Un consensus fort (≥ 80 % des répondants étaient d'accord) a été atteint concernant 53 % des énoncés, notamment les suivants : le risque de consommation postopératoire d'opioïdes devrait être évalué avant l'opération; les patients naïfs aux opioïdes ne devraient pas commencer à prendre des opioïdes avant l'opération, à moins que l'analgésie multimodale non opioïde n'échoue; et si des opioïdes sont prescrits au congé, les patients devraient être informés de l'importance de réduire leur consommation d'opioïdes. Il n'y avait pas de consensus concernant le sevrage des opioïdes en période préopératoire. CONCLUSION: À l'aide d'experts multidisciplinaires et d'une méthode de Delphi, un fort consensus a été atteint dans de nombreux aspects, montrant un accord considérable malgré des données probantes limitées pour une prise en charge standardisée de la douleur chez les patients subissant une chirurgie élective complexe du pied et de la cheville. L'absence de consensus sur des questions importantes liées à la prescription et à l'interruption des opioïdes souligne la nécessité de recherches pour déterminer les pratiques exemplaires.

The relationship between nitrous oxide sedation and psychosocial factors in the pediatric outpatient setting.

BACKGROUND: Moderate sedation using nitrous oxide (N2 O) has become common in pediatric dentistry. However, less is known regarding the role of patients' characteristics and psychosocial factors in their cooperative behavior during dental procedures with N2 O. AIMS: This study aimed to examine pediatric dental patients' behaviors while undergoing N2 O sedation and to measure the associations between child's cooperative behavior and demographic, physiological responses, and psychosocial factors. METHODS: In this within-subject observational study, participants received 40% N2 O/O2 , by nasal hood, for non-surgical dental procedures. The main outcome measure was the extent of cooperative behaviors, as assessed by the Frankl scale at five timepoints, namely T1: pre-administration of N2 O, T2: post-administration of N2 O, T3: dental injection, T4: dental treatment, and T5: post-procedure administration of 100% O2 . Predictors included age, sex, psychosocial factors reported using the Parenting Style and Dimension Questionnaire and Spence Children Anxiety Scale, as well as pulse rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and generalized estimation equation were used for data analyses. RESULTS: In 80 children with a mean age of 7.2 (2.2) years, administration of N2 O was significantly associated with cooperative behaviors (odds ratio [OR]:2.62, confidence interval [CI]: 1.46-4.70, p = .001) when adjusted for other predictors. There was no interaction between any of the predictors and N2 O sedation on behaviors. Except for the authoritative parenting style (OR: 1.96, CI: 1.16-3.31, p = .012), which predicted more cooperative behaviors, other predictors were not associated with behavioral outcomes. CONCLUSION: In children sedated with N2 O, behavior was independent of the child's demographic and psychosocial factors. While sedated, demographics, vital signs, and anxiety did not contribute to behavior management. However, screening for parenting style may help predict the child's behavioral response.

Characteristics and Prognostic Factors for Return to Work in Public Safety Personnel with Work-Related Posttraumatic Stress Injury Undergoing Rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: Public safety personnel (PSP) are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) due to exposure to traumatic experiences and accidents. Rehabilitation programs are available, but their success varies. We studied: (1) characteristics of PSP undergoing PTSI rehabilitation in comparison to non-PSP workers; and (2) predictive value of various factors for return to work. Methods A population-based cohort study was conducted using data on injured workers undergoing PTSI rehabilitation. Of the 488 workers included, 131 were PSP. Outcome measures were: (1) return to pre-accident work at rehabilitation discharge; (2) days receiving wage replacement benefits in the year following rehabilitation. Results PSP were mainly employed (90.8%), male (59.5%), paramedics/ambulance workers (58.0%); a minority (43.5%) returned to pre-accident work after rehabilitation. Compared to non-PSP workers, PSP were more likely to initially be diagnosed with psychological injuries (94.7% versus 59.4%, p < 0.001) rather than musculoskeletal injuries. Return to pre-accident work was predicted by shorter injury duration, having a primary mental health diagnosis, working at time of admission, and not having symptoms requiring treatment in a complex rehabilitation program. PSPs were slower to experience full recovery in the year after rehabilitation. Factors predicting fewer benefit days included not having a secondary psychological injury, being employed, and working at time of admission. Conclusions Most PSP did not return to work in full after PTSI rehabilitation. Outcomes are likely to improve by starting treatment earlier and maintaining connections with the workplace.

Association between sleep bruxism and stress symptoms in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To synthesise and critically review the association between sleep bruxism (SB) and stress symptoms in adults. A systematic review was performed. The search was completed using seven primary electronic databases in addition to a grey literature search. Two reviewers blindly selected studies based on pre-defined eligibility criteria. Risk of bias of the included articles was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. RevMan 5.4 was used to perform the meta-analysis. The quality of evidence was evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Ten studies were included for qualitative analysis, of which three were included for quantitative analysis. Three studies were evaluated to have low risk of bias, and seven were assessed with moderate risk of bias. Quality of evidence was classified as very low for all outcomes. Individuals with SB were found to have higher levels of some self-reported stress symptoms as assessed through questionnaires with a mean difference of 4.59 (95% CI 0.26-8.92). Biomarkers like epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, adrenaline, dopamine, noradrenaline and prolidase enzyme levels also showed a positive association with SB. Although some associations were identified between probable SB and self-reported stress symptoms and biomarkers of stress in adults, given that the quality of evidence was found to be very low, caution should be exercised in interpreting these results. These findings suggest that additional and better designed studies are warranted in order to clarify the link between SB and stress.

What Motivates Engagement in Work and Other Valued Social Roles Despite Persistent Back Pain?

Purpose The prognosis of persistent back pain is variable, with some individuals adjusting poorly and others continuing to actively engage in work and other valued social roles. The aim of this study was to better understand why some individuals, despite persistent back pain, continue to actively engage in work and other valued social roles. Methods Individuals with persistent back pain, who were participating in their regular duties as a full-time employee, homemaker, student or any combination of these, were recruited from a multidisciplinary pain centre and orthopedic physical therapy clinics in Alberta, Canada. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews of 15 participants and a thematic analysis to analyze the data. Results There were two motivators identified for participating in the work role: (1) participation formed part of the participant's self-schema (a cognitive framework that includes one's beliefs about oneself) and (2) participation made it possible to achieve a valued outcome. Conclusions Further understanding of important motivators for maintaining engagement in work and other valued social roles despite persistent back pain can help inform the development of more successful disability and pain management programs.

Association between sleep bruxism and anxiety symptoms in adults: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the association between sleep bruxism (SB) and anxiety symptoms in adults. METHODS: A systematic review was performed and studies assessing SB by means of questionnaires, clinical examination and/or polysomnography (PSG), and validated questionnaires to assess anxiety, were included. Search strategies were developed for seven main electronic databases. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies, and confidence in cumulative evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. RESULTS: Eight cross-sectional studies were included, of which five were judged with low and three with moderate risk of bias. No association with SB was observed in three studies that investigated generic levels of anxiety, while other two papers that evaluated generic anxiety levels through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) found a positive association with probable and definite SB in both STAI-1 and STAI-2 subscales. Only one study evaluated dental anxiety in particular and an association with probable SB was observed regarding very anxious or extremely anxious scores. Two studies assessed specific symptoms of anxiety using the panic-agoraphobic spectra evaluation (PAS-SR) questionnaire. Significantly higher PAS-SR total scores were observed in both studies with regard to SB. No study with definitive assessment of SB was identified. CONCLUSION: Current literature is controversial regarding an association between SB and generic symptoms of anxiety in adults. It seems that some specific symptoms of the anxiety disorders spectrum might be associated with probable SB.

Pain Assessment Recommendations for Women, Made by Women: A Mixed Methods Study.

Objective: To quantitatively describe women's priorities for pain assessment and qualitatively explain unique features of women's pain experiences. Design: Mixed-methods study that included a three-round Delphi study followed by in-depth interviews. Setting: Clinical research study. Participants: Twenty-three women with chronic pain recruited from three women's pain treatment facilities and one interdisciplinary chronic pain clinic. Methods: Phase 1 (Delphi) involved completion of a questionnaire that rated agreement with the importance of 32 commonly used pain assessment measures. Answers were compiled, and controlled feedback was provided after each round. This iterative process continued until acceptable stability was reached. Stability was defined as proportion agreement for each response that reached the a priori cutoff score of 75%. Phase 2 (qualitative) involved one-to-one telephone interviews that followed a semistructured interview guide partially informed from phase 1 findings. A descriptive approach summarized and described participants' perspectives while avoiding abstractions. Textual data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Phase 1 identified 15 pain assessments as important. Some commonly used pain assessment measures such as the numeric pain intensity rating scale did not reach agreement as important. However, no pain assessments reached agreement as unimportant. Ten additional women completed face-to-face interviews, and an overall theme of stigmatization emerged that highlighted the importance of soliciting the pain narrative and why some aspects of psychosocial pain assessment did not reach agreement. Conclusions: Priorities identified by women for the assessment of pain were largely consistent with expert recommendations; however, important differences were raised that merit consideration for clinicians to reduce stigma.

The determinants of meaning of pain following an acute traumatic injury.

RATIONALE AND AIMS: Meaning is an integral aspect of life that drives behaviours, actions and emotions. Perception of pain is believed to be affected by the meaning of pain. Our primary aim was to investigate and discuss the determinants of meaning in acute pain following a traumatic injury. METHODOLOGICAL DESIGN: Using the Interpretive Description approach, a method of qualitative inquiry, 13 adults hospitalised due to their accidental injuries were recruited. Semi-structured interviews that were digitally recorded were used to collect the data. Ethical approval was received by our local Health Research Ethics Board, and all relevant ethical standards were followed as outlined in the approved ethics proposal. FINDINGS: The three primary determinants of meaning during an acute pain event, or the experience of acute pain include permanence of injuries, incongruence of care quality, and personal responses to the injury and care received. Although the permanence of an injury is lasting, we did not find any emotional response to this fact while the participants were hospitalised. The emotion characterising the personal response to the perceived poor quality of hospital care received was anxiety. CONCLUSION: Both the technical and personal components of healthcare quality have the potential to increase the perception of pain. Meanings in an acute pain event are primarily related to the determinants of incongruent care and the personal response to that determinant: anxiety.

Do Pain-Related Support Preferences Moderate Relationships Between Chronic Pain Patients' Reports of Support Received and Psychosocial Functioning?

OBJECTIVE: The operant theory of chronic pain and related research suggest pain-related solicitous support promotes disability. The current study investigated the hypotheses that solicitous support is positively associated with both disability and relationship satisfaction and that these relationships are moderated by the level of desire for this type of support. METHODS: Patients with chronic pain (N = 147) and in a relationship were recruited from a multidisciplinary pain treatment center. They provided self-reports of the amount of three types of pain-related support wanted and received (i.e., solicitous, encouragement, and suppression), disability, and relationship satisfaction. RESULTS: A hierarchical regression analysis indicated that solicitous support received was not significantly associated with disability. However, a moderation effect was found regarding encouragement. Encouragement received was negatively associated with disability, and this relationship was strongest at lower levels of interest in encouragement. Solicitous support received had a large positive association with relationship satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest the influence of pain-related support is more complex than suggested by the operant conditioning model of chronic pain, which emphasizes the possible detrimental impact of solicitous support. Further research is warranted regarding the potential relationship enhancing effects of solicitous support and the influence of encouragement on disability experienced by those with chronic pain.

The Effect of Social Observational Learning, Empathy and Catastrophizing in Chronic Pain Patients During Acute Pain Induction.

Objective: In this study, we were interested in determining whether we could alter a pain response in a chronic pain patient population by exposing participants to different videos prior to inducing acute pain. Design: This observational case series study required participants to report their pain level during the cold pressor task after viewing an instruction video. Setting: Recruitment and testing took place in a tertiary care multidisciplinary pain center. Subjects: Forty adults with chronic pain participated in the study and completed the cold pressor test. Methods: Prior to testing, questionnaires measuring pain, empathy, and catastrophic thinking were completed and participants were randomized to view an instructional video where an actress either demonstrated pain behavior or a stoic response during the cold pressor test. Results: Participants with higher levels of catastrophizing reported higher pain levels during the cold pressor test. Personal Distress Empathy measures of participants who viewed the pain catastrophizing video were significantly correlated with their final pain reports. Following the cold pressor task, participants' pain reports for their primary chronic pain sites were significantly reduced. Conclusions: These results support previous findings that people with chronic pain show the tendency toward increased acute pain experience if levels of catastrophizing and Personal Distress Empathy measures are higher. Participants reported attenuated chronic pain following induced pain, also in line with previous research suggesting a central endogenous inhibitory effect. Our findings shed light on the role of emotional and social components affecting the experience of pain in individuals with chronic pain.

To Befriend or Not: Naturally Developing Friendships Amongst a Clinical Group of Adolescents with Chronic Pain.

Adolescents with chronic pain frequently perceive a lack of support from friends. Support from a peer with a shared experience has been found to provide emotional, informational, and appraisal support. We sought to quantify the frequency with which adolescents with chronic pain want to befriend other adolescents with chronic pain, and to describe the features of these friendships. Adolescents with chronic pain who had attended a 10-week structured self-management program from 3 sites were invited to complete an online survey. Forty teens participated, 95% (n = 38) were girls; 32% (n = 13) befriended another; 52% (n = 21) were interested in befriending another but did not; 15% (n = 6) were not interested in befriending anyone. Over half (62%) of the friendships lasted at least 1 year (n = 8), but only 2 intermingled these with their regular friendships. Pain was discussed frequently during interactions. The most common reasons for not forming friendships were no time to exchange contact information during group and not having things in common. Reasons for not being interested in forming a friendship also included not having anything in common apart from pain. The majority of participants were interested in befriending another. Emotional support, by feeling understood and discussing pain without fear that the other is disinterested, was the main peer support provided. Without common interests, this form of friendship may not last and is at risk for being overly solicitous by focusing on pain. It remains unclear whether the benefits of peer support translate into improved function.

Factors associated with patient and parent satisfaction after orthodontic treatment: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to identify factors associated with orthodontic treatment satisfaction of patients and their caregivers, when applicable. METHODS: MEDLINE via Ovid, PubMed, EBM Reviews and EMBASE via OVIDSP, LILACS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched electronically. Reference lists of included articles were also screened for potential relevant studies missed during the electronic searches. Studies evaluating the satisfaction levels of patients or caregivers after orthodontic treatment were considered. Methodologic quality of the included studies was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Eighteen studies satisfied the inclusion criteria, representing 2891 patients and 464 parents. The risk of bias was moderate in 13 and low in 4 of the included articles. The studies used different questionnaires and timings to assess postorthodontic treatment satisfaction. Based on the available limited evidence, satisfaction was associated with perceived esthetic outcomes, psychological benefits, and quality of care. The latter was specifically linked to dentist-staff-patient interactions. Dissatisfaction was associated with treatment duration, pain levels and discomfort, and the use of retention appliances. When both assessments were available, the patient's and the parent's satisfaction levels were strongly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the limited available evidence with moderate risk of bias, we identified factors that appear to be more commonly associated with a high or low level of satisfaction. Consideration of these factors could be important for practitioners attempting to set realistic expectations of their patients and caregivers regarding orthodontic treatment outcomes.

The effects of mindful attention and state mindfulness on acute experimental pain among adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Attention-based coping strategies for pain are widely used in pediatric populations. The purpose of this study was to test a novel mindful attention manipulation on adolescent's experimental pain responses. Furthermore, the relationship between state mindfulness and experimental pain was examined. METHODS: A total of 198 adolescents were randomly assigned to a mindful attention manipulation or control group prior to an experimental pain task. Participants completed measures of state mindfulness immediately prior to the pain task, and situational catastrophizing and pain intensity following the task. RESULTS: Overall the manipulation had no effect on pain. Secondary analysis showed that meditation experience moderated the effect of the manipulation. State mindfulness predicted pain outcomes, with reductions in situational catastrophizing mediating this relationship. CONCLUSIONS: The mindful attention manipulation was effective among adolescents with a regular meditation practice. State mindfulness was related to ameliorated pain responses, and these effects were mediated by reduced catastrophizing.

Post-surgical pain syndromes: a review for the non-pain specialist.

PURPOSE: This is a selective narrative review of the latest information about the epidemiology, impact, and prevention of chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP), intended primarily for those without a special interest in pain medicine. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Chronic post-surgical pain is an important problem in terms of personal impact. It has staggering economic implications, exerts powerful negative effects on the quality of life of many of those it afflicts, and places a significant burden on chronic pain treatment services in general. It is well known that surgery at certain body sites is apt to cause CPSP, but emerging evidence shows a strong correlation between CPSP and demographic (young age, obesity, and female sex) and psychological characteristics (anxiety, depression, stress, and catastrophizing). Severe acute pain is a strong risk factor for CPSP, and this adds yet more weight to the argument that acute pain should be controlled effectively. In specific circumstances, CPSP can be reduced by regional anesthetic techniques, infiltration of local anesthetic, or preoperative use of gabapentin. The ability of other known interrupters of afferent nociceptive transmission-commonly used to reduce CPSP when administered at the time of surgery-is currently unproven, as is the hypothesis that the use of remifentanil during surgery worsens CPSP. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of CPSP is a worthy long-term outcome for anesthesia providers to consider as they plan the perioperative care of their patients. More evidence is needed about the effect of currently used analgesics and other perioperative techniques on CPSP.

Roadmap to the 'Chronic Pain GPS for Adolescents' Intervention: Content and Design Considerations for a Group Peer Support Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: A biopsychosocial approach to understanding and treating pain is crucial; however, there are limited socially targeted interventions for adolescents with chronic pain (ACP). Peer support interventions implemented with other populations are associated with positive outcomes. ACPs perceive peer support to have high potential value. This study explored the preferences of ACP regarding the content and design of a group peer support intervention. METHODS: Fourteen ACP (M age : 15.21 y; 9 females; 3 males, 1 nonbinary, and 1 gender questioning) completed a virtual interview and survey. Interviews were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis, and surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Adolescents described how they want to both talk and do activities together within a fun and casual environment with a facilitator present-ideally, someone with lived experience of chronic pain. Preferences were for a medium-sized group intervention that was in-person, at a consistent time on a weekday after school, and semi-structured. Barriers to attending and engaging in the potential group peer intervention were also discussed. DISCUSSION: ACPs desire a facilitated socially focused intervention that provides them with the opportunity to spend time with other ACPs. A group peer support environment where ACPs can provide and receive peer support through sharing their experiences with others who understand them as well as engage in activities was described. The findings from this study provide insights for the development of a group peer support intervention.

A Parent-Targeted Group Intervention for Pediatric Pain Delivered In-Person or Virtually: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness.

OBJECTIVES: Parents play integral roles in their youth's chronic pain and can experience elevated distress related to caregiving. This study examined a cognitive-behavior therapy-based parent-targeted group intervention, including understudied/novel resilience/risk (eg, distress, parenting self-regulation), and compared the effect of in-person versus virtual delivery format. HYPOTHESES: (1) Adequate feasibility and acceptability (enrolment>33%, attendance >60%, attrition <25%, satisfaction ratings >90%), with higher indicators of feasibility in the virtual groups; (2) Significant improvements in parent psychological flexibility, protectiveness, distress, and parenting self-regulation at posttreatment that were maintained at follow-up, with no difference between delivery type. METHODS: Parents were enroled from an outpatient pediatric chronic pain clinic and participated in the group intervention in-person or virtually; questionnaires were completed at baseline, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Enrolment (55% in-person, 65% virtual) and attendance (86% in-person, 93% virtual) were higher, and attrition was lower than expected (4% in-person, 7% virtual). Satisfaction was high (4.95/5 in-person, 4.85/5 virtual); on written feedback, parents enjoyed connecting with other parents (27/56, 48%) the most. The least preferred were the virtual format (5/36, 14%) and timing of the group (6/52, 12%). There were no differences between delivery formats in feasibility/acceptability. The intervention significantly improved parents' psychological flexibility, protectiveness, distress, and parenting self-regulation over time. A small group difference favored the in-person format for psychological flexibility, and an interaction effect for parenting self-regulation was found. DISCUSSION: This standalone parent-targeted group intervention had positive effects on parent outcomes delivered either in-person or virtually.

Dyadic analysis of adolescent friendships behaviours during pain: Comparison of those with chronic pain versus those without chronic pain.

BACKGROUND: Social context has been found to influence pain intensity and tolerance. The aims of this study were to determine the impact of one type of social context on the painful experiences of adolescents with and without chronic pain by examining interactions within and across friendship dyads during experimental pain. METHODS: Each adolescent in 61 same-sex friendship dyads (30 dyads with a chronic pain member) across three sites participated in the cold pressor task and acted as the observer during their friend's participation. They also completed a battery of measures to capture friendship features and pain outcomes. Pain intensity was measured using an 11-point numeric scale. Pain tolerance was measured by the length of time in the cold pressor device. Videotapes of their interactions were coded for verbal and non-verbal behaviours. A series of Actor Partner Independence Modelling, Hierarchical Multiple Regression and Multivariate Analysis of Covariance was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Friendship features were not associated with pain intensity or tolerance. Both members of dyads with a chronic pain member used fewer non-attending behaviours when they were observing their friend resulting in participants in those dyads having lower pain tolerance. Moreover, within dyads, one's friend's behaviours when experiencing pain influenced pain tolerance but only for those dyads with a chronic pain member. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies aimed at improving social interactions for adolescents with chronic pain while they are experiencing pain are discussed. Research is needed to understand how different peer relationships influence pain tolerance in adolescents with chronic pain. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH: During pain, patterns of interactions differ within and between adolescent friendship dyads when one has chronic pain (CP) versus controls. Dyads with a CP member use fewer non-attending behaviours despite non-attending behaviours rated as more helpful. Pain intensity was solely related to the participant's behaviour. Amongst dyads with a CP member, pain tolerance was also influenced by their friend's behaviours. Friends of adolescents with pain engage in more unhelpful behaviours perhaps decreasing the ability of CP adolescents to engage in social activities.

The Effect of a Brief Physician-Delivered Neurobiologically Oriented, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Brief-CBT) Intervention on Chronic Pain Acceptance in Youth with Chronic Pain-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

At the Stollery Children's Chronic Pain Clinic, new referrals are assessed by an interdisciplinary team. The final part of the intake assessment typically involves an explanation and compassionate validation of the etiology of chronic pain and an invitation to the youth to attend the group outpatient Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program, called Pain 101, or to individual outpatient CBT. It was hypothesized that a brief physician-delivered CBT (brief-CBT) intervention at first point of contact improves subsequent pain acceptance. Using a randomized double blinded methodology, 26 participants received a standard intake assessment and 26 the standard assessment plus the brief-CBT intervention. Measures were taken at three points: pre and post-intake assessment and after Pain 101 or individual CBT (or day 30 post-assessment for those attending neither). The primary outcome measure was the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire­Adolescent version (CPAQ-A). Comparing pre and post-intake measures, there was a significant (p = 0.002) increase in the CPAQ-A scores­four-fold more in the brief-CBT intervention group (p = 0.045). Anxiety (RCADS-T Score) was significantly reduced post-intake and significantly more reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.024). CPAQ-A scores were significantly increased (p < 0.001) (N = 28) and anxiety (RCADs-T) was significantly reduced by the end of Pain 101 (p < 0.003) (N = 29) as was fear of pain as measured by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (p = 0.021). A physician-delivered brief-CBT intervention significantly and meaningfully increased CPAQ-A scores and reduced anxiety in youth with chronic pain. Furthermore, CBT through Pain 101 is effective at increasing acceptance, as well as reducing anxiety and fear of movement.