The Burden of Chronic Pain in Children and Adults Across the Lifespan

Abstract

Aims: This symposium aims to highlight the significant problem of chronic pain across the lifespan. Data will be presented on the prevalence, impact and cost of chronic pain amongst children aged 5-12 years. The impact of chronic pain will also be described amongst adults working in a high risk environment (prison settings). The symposium will also highlight effective psychological interventions for working with young people and adults - three controlled clinical trials for chronic pain will be presented: 1. A cognitive behavioural intervention is described for management of menstrual pain in young women with an intellectual disability. 2. A mindfulness and progressive muscular relaxation was evaluated for treatment of chronic headache. 3. A cognitive behavioural activation programme was evaluated for people with chronic low back pain. Rationale: Chronic pain is a significant problem in terms of personal impact and health service burden. Summary: Psychological research is helping us to understand the scale of the problem of chronic pain across the lifespan and to develop effective interventions. Running order: 1. Siobhan O’Higgins: Chronic pain in school-aged children in Ireland: Results from the PRIME-C study on prevalence, impact and economic costs. 2. Susan Kennedy: Evaluation of a cognitive behavioural programme for menstrual pain management in women with an intellectual disability. 3. John Bogue: Chronic pain among prison officers: Prevalence, impact and predictors of pain-related disability. 4. Jonathan Egan: Online Mindfulness vs Progressive Muscle Relaxation vs a combination of both as a treatment of migraine: Empowering clients in their choice of treatment to control their chronic headache. 5. Sara Hayes: Effectiveness of a CBT-based rehabilitation programme (Progressive Goal Attainment Program) for people who are work disabled due to back pain.