ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pain is prevalent among children and adolescents. The development and implementation of Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) strategies tailored to this population remains overlooked in contrast to the adult population. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to identify the content, delivery methods, and dosage of PNE for children and adolescents available in the literature. METHOD: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and clinical trial registration databases. Inclusion criteria consisted of studies that involved children submitted to a PNE program in community, school, clinics, hospitals or child development centers. We considered studies that included children with and without pain who received PNE strategies associated or not with self-motivational interventions. Studies focusing on psychological interventions were excluded. We extracted data on authors, publication year, country, sample characteristics, health condition, PNE content, study design, context, outcomes, duration, follow-up, main results, dropout, and adverse effects. Data extracted were qualitatively organized. RESULTS: A total of 805 studies were initially reviewed. The final sample comprised 17 studies. Common PNE topics included pain neurophysiology, biopsychosocial influences, pain concepts, self-management, and coping strategies. Delivery methods ranged from slideshows and videos to booklets, with sessions lasting 8-60 min. Schools were the most common setting for these interventions. CONCLUSION: Our review demonstrates the diversity in PNE content, delivery methods, and intervention dosages among the included studies. Most studies occurred in school settings, potentially limiting its generalizability for clinical contexts.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pain education resources for children using appropriate language and illustrations remain scarce. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to summarize the development process and testing for face and content validity of a structured comic book about pain education for children. METHODS: A first draft of a comic book was developed (Portuguese and English) based on pain education concepts. Experts in pediatric pain from different countries analyzed content, objectives, language, illustrations, layout, motivation, and cultural adjustment. A third draft developed in Portuguese considering experts' suggestions was presented to children and parents in Brazil. The total adequacy score was calculated from the sum of the scores obtained in each domain, divided by the maximum total score. Descriptive analysis is presented. RESULTS: The expert panel was composed of 11 (64.7%) physical therapists, and 6 (35.3%) psychologists. The total adequacy score (0-100%) was 87.74%. The third draft version of the comic book was presented to 28 children and the final version was presented to 16 children with a mean age of 9.6 years. Children were totally satisfied (n=4; 26.7%) or satisfied (n=9; 56.2%) with the story of the comic book. The readability of the comic book was considered suitable for grades 4 to 6 educational level. CONCLUSION: The comic book "A Journey to Learn about Pain" was validated for face and content validity by the expert panel and the Brazilian target population. This comic book is available in Portuguese and English and can be a potentially useful resource for children.