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The experiences of chronic pain among children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) were examined in this survey-based study. Perspective of both the individual and the parent were solicited in a preliminary sample of 20 youths with CP, ages 6 to 17 years from a metropolitan area. Selected participants completed in-person, structured interviews that focused on quality of life with attention to pain experiences. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. Seventy percent of participants (n = 14) experienced recurrent chronic pain of moderate intensity on a daily or weekly basis. Greater than half of those participants (n = 9) reported that pain presented a problem for them and especially interfered with self-care and with sleep. Pain appears to be a problem for many youths with CP, and may create additional interference with routine activities of daily living and participation. Further exploration regarding pain experiences and the nature of pain interference is warranted in order to address development and maintenance of routine activities and participation by children and adolescents with CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) face many challenges including impaired motor control and coordination, functional impairment, sensory disturbances, and, sometimes, communication difficulties and cognitive deficits. Pain also may be a problem for children with CP due in part to the inherent deficits associated with the disease, as well as the invasive medical and surgical procedures and rehabilitative activities children with CP undergo on a regular basis. A review of current literature indicates pain is a common experience for children with CP and has been understudied in this population. Further emphasis and research on appropriate assessment and management strategies sensitive to the unique characteristics and limitations of children with CP are warranted.

Chronic pain is a common condition in persons with cerebral palsy (CP), although there is a paucity of research studying CP-related pain. One of the barriers to a better understanding of pain in persons with CP is the lack of information concerning the validity of pain measures that may be used with this population. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative validity of several pain measures in a sample of persons with CP-related pain. Six pain rating scales and measures of depression and pain interference were administered to a sample of 45 adults participating in a longitudinal study of pain in persons with CP. An additional 24 persons with CP were administered 5 of the 6 pain intensity scales. The results of factor analyses support the validity of each measure of pain in this sample of persons with CP. However, an examination of the pattern of associations between each of the pain ratings with measures of pain interference and depression suggest that the 7-point Faces Scale may be somewhat less valid than the other measures., (2003 by the American Pain Society)