Pain Patterns and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract: Aim: To identify 5-week pain intensity trajectories and their relationship to physical and psychological wellbeing in children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: A research study was undertaken with 101 Indian children and young people with CP, 49 of them were female. Their ages ranged from 8 to 18 years, with an overall mean age of 12 years and 11 months (SD, 3 years and 1 month). Physical and mental health (KIDSCREEN-27) were measured at baseline and after 5 weeks, as well as self-reported pain intensity (Faces Pain Scale – Revised). Latent class growth and generic linear models were used in statistical analysis. Results: All levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (I = 40.6%, II = 15.8 %, III = 20.8 %, IV = 13.9 %, and V = 8.9 %) were represented. There were found to be five pain intensity trajectories. Three trajectories showed mean steady pain that was either extremely low (35.4%), low (32.4%), or high (4.9%). Two trajectories saw moderate pain that changed (16.8%) and severe pain that decreased to moderate levels (10.5%), respectively. The lowest physical well-being was reported by the individuals with stable high pain (adjusted = 10.01; 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = -19.37 to -0.66). The lowest psychological well-being was found in those in the three trajectories with the highest mean baseline pain intensity (>3 out of 10) (adjusted = β-8.27, 95% CI = -14.84 to 1.70; = -6.74, 95% CI = -12.43 to -1.05; β = -5.82, 95% CI = -15.34 to 3.71) Conclusion: The pain intensity trajectories of nearly one-third of subjects were moderate to severe. Lower physical and psychological well-being was linked to membership in the trajectories of greater pain intensity. Images:PUBLISHED IN IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 21, Issue 6 Ser.9 (June. 2022), PP 45-54 Selected to be presented at the International Live Conference on Cerebral Pals