Children with CP often experience pain that is related to their medical condition and that may limit or interfere with their everyday activities and Quality of Life (QoL).One possible way to help these children is by using a modified cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for pain management.
For this study, the investigators want to do a feasibility study, to see if participating in a six-week pain management CBT program for children and youth with CP and their parents, leads to better pain coping skills and lower levels of pain interference, when compared to a controlled waiting list.
Participants in both groups (immediate and delayed treatment) will participate in a 2-hour CBT session, once a week, for a total of six weeks. Following 3-months from the last CBT session, participants will be contacted for a short follow-up screening. All participants will be enrolled in the study for a total of 18 weeks.
This study will be done at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada. Sixteen participants with CP (gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) levels I-V), age 8 to 18, with evidence of chronic pain (detailed as pain lasting more than 3 months or lasting longer than the expected time to heal) and their parents, will be recruited for participation.
