The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2024 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2022.2120232 · Published: September 8, 2022
This study looks at how pain affects the ability of young people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) to function in school or work. It explores whether pain interferes with their daily activities and social interactions, and how these factors, in turn, impact their performance in school or at work. The researchers wanted to understand the mechanisms that explain how pain severity impacts school/work functioning in youth with SCI.
An interdisciplinary intervention approach combining multidimensional pain pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical treatments and social problem-solving skills training may improve outcomes.
Cognitive–behavioral therapy strategies have been demonstrated to be effective in chronic pain management, which may lessen in part the negative direct effects of pain on cognitive functioning.
Social problem-solving skills training interventions targeting impaired social functioning are essential and may be adapted from social skills training approaches as described for other pediatric chronic conditions.