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Neuropediatrics 2025; 56(01): 043-050
DOI: 10.1055/a-2474-6503
Original Article

Pain in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-sectional Survey Study

Lena A. Bischoff 
1   Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland
,
Anne Tscherter
2   Institute of Social and Preventative Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Sandra Hunziker
2   Institute of Social and Preventative Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Sebastian Grunt
3   Division of Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Nicole T. Graf
4   Clinical Trial Unit, St. Gallen Cantonal Hospital, St. Gallen, Switzerland
,
Christoph T. Künzle
1   Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland
,
Philip J. Broser
1   Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations Funding We thank the Foundation Cerebral, the Anna Mueller Grocholski Foundation, the Ebnet Foundation, the Steinegg Foundation, and the Batzebär Foundation of Inselspital Bern for their financial support.
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Abstract

Aim This study aims to investigate the prevalence, intensity, and location of pain in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and analyze pain-related symptoms and participation restrictions.

Methods Children and adolescents aged 2 to 16 years diagnosed with CP were invited to participate in a pain survey. The questionnaire was based on the German Pain Questionnaire for Children, Adolescents and Parents (DSF-KJ). It was administered to children (2–11 years) by their caregivers, while adolescents (12–16 years) were asked to complete the questionnaire themselves or with the help of their caregivers.

Results Fifty-seven of 133 children and adolescents with CP (43%) reported having pain in the past 12 months, of whom 17 (30%) reported chronic pain. Patients with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) IV–V reported more frequent pain (p = 0.003) and higher pain intensity (p = 0.011). Lower extremity pain was the most common. Twenty-three percent of participants with pain did not receive any treatment. Pain often restricted participation, specifically by reducing sports activity in patients with GMFCS I–III, focusing attention on patients with GMFCS IV–V, and activities with the family in both GMFCS level categories.

Interpretation Pain is common in children and adolescents with CP and frequently restricts their participation. Therefore, it must be consistently recorded and addressed during the consultation. The goal of treatment should be not only to reduce pain but above all to increase participation.

Keywords

cerebral palsy - pain - children - adolescents - participation

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 23 July 2024

Accepted: 17 November 2024

Article published online:
09 December 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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