Physical and occupational therapy outcomes: Adolescents' change in functional abilities using objective measures and self-report.

This study evaluates the clinical usefulness of patient-rated and objective measures to identify physically-oriented functional changes after an intensive chronic pain program in a pediatric setting. Past studies have demonstrated the importance of adolescents' perception of their abilities and measurement tools used for rehabilitation outcomes within physical and occupational therapy; however, these tools used are not often easily utilized or have not been examined with a pediatric chronic pain population. In chronic pain rehabilitation, it is important to have a primary focus on functional improvement not on pain reduction as a leading outcome. This study examines how both self-report and objective physical activity measures can be meaningful constructs and can be used as reliable outcome measures. It was hypothesized that adolescents completing an interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program would report functional gains from admission to discharge, and that perceived gains in physical ability would be associated with objective physical activities. Further, it was hypothesized that gains in functioning would be associated with mild pain reduction. Data from 78 children and adolescents with chronic pain that participated in an intensive multidisciplinary treatment program completed self-report measures including the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI). In addition, adolescents were objectively monitored for repetitions of selected physical activities for 1min intervals. Data demonstrated significant gains in all measures of functioning during the program. Correlations between self-report and objective outcomes suggest they are measuring similar yet distinct factors. The LEFS, UEFI, and objective exercises provide a meaningful way to track progress in pediatric chronic pain rehabilitation. Despite similarities, they appear to track separate but related aspects of rehabilitation and capture important short-term response to rehabilitation. Both measures appear distinct from pain as an outcome. These findings increase our understanding of rehabilitation practices provide opportunities to promote clinical improvement in pediatric pain. The use of self-report measures along with objective measures can help therapists gain understanding in regards to a patient's insight and how that may impact their overall outcome compared to the use of a single outcome measure. Viewing these rated measures at any point in the rehabilitation process can be useful to facilitate discussion about challenges they can identify and how therapies can facilitate improvement and functional gains.

Kempert H ，Benore E ，Heines R 《-》

Easily Administered Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: Adolescents' Perceived Functional Changes After Completing an Intensive Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program.

To determine whether patient-reported measures would be clinically sensitive and useful for identifying functional change within an intensive chronic pain program setting by examining 2 patient-reported measures administered as part of physical and occupational therapy for chronic pain. A retrospective data analysis of children and adolescents with chronic pain treated over a single calendar year. Paired t tests evaluated change in perceived function measures and pain over time. Standardized residual change scores were used in subsequent regression to assess associations between change scores. An interdisciplinary pediatric pain rehabilitation program that supports children and adolescents with chronic pain by increasing strength, flexibility, and endurance; facilitating a return to daily life activities; and using appropriate self-directed coping and pain management skills. Children and adolescents (N=109; age range, 8-19y; 83% girls) with various chronic pain diagnoses who were admitted to a 3- to 4-week intensive pain rehabilitation program. Participants were involved in physical and occupational therapy for 3 hours daily, as well as recreation therapy, psychology, school, aquatics, art therapy, and music therapy for a total of 8 hours daily. Parents were involved in parent education with therapists from all disciplines in conjunction with their child's programming. Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI), and self-reported pain severity rating on 0-to-10 numerical rating scale. Data demonstrated significant gains in LEFS and UEFI during the program. Improvement in perceived functioning was significantly correlated with a reduction in pain. The LEFS and UEFI provide a meaningful way to track progress in chronic pain rehabilitation. Using self-perceived measures, children and adolescents noted significant functional improvement, associated with less pain intensity. These findings increase our understanding of the rehabilitation process and point to goals for clinical improvement.

Kempert H ，Benore E ，Heines R 《-》

Functionally relevant physical exercises as an objective measure of clinical improvement in pediatric chronic pain.

Kempert H ，Benore E 《-》

The influence of anxiety reduction on clinical response to pediatric chronic pain rehabilitation.

Benore E ，D'Auria A ，Banez GA ，Worley S ，Tang A ... -  《-》

Physical Therapy Outcome Measures for Assessment of Lower Extremity Chronic Pain-Related Function in Pediatrics.

Mirek E ，Logan D ，Boullard K ，Hall AM ，Staffa SJ ，Sethna N ... -  《-》