Pain in persons with cerebral palsy: extension and cross validation

Abstract

Objective: To cross-validate and extend the assessment of pain in persons with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design: Standardized in-person interviews.

Setting: University medical clinics and local residential and community housing for persons with developmental disabilities.

Participants: One hundred adults with CP.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main outcome measures: Measures of pain intensity, pain interference in daily activities, psychologic function, significance of pain problem, and satisfaction with pain treatment.

Results: Sixty-seven (67%) subjects reported 1 or more chronic pain problem(s). Low back, hip, and leg pain were most common. Twenty-four percent reported constant pain; 19% reported that pain occurred daily. Mean pain intensity +/- standard deviation over the previous week on an 11-point scale (0, no pain; 10, pain as bad as could be) was 4.08+/-2.25. Minor interference (2.55+/-3.03; scale range, 0-10) from pain with routine daily activities was reported. Responses to the Satisfaction with Life Scale (n=63) indicated only moderate life satisfaction (18.44+/-8.34; scale range, 5-35) among those with 1 or more pain problem(s). Responses to the Rand Mental Health Inventory (n=65; mean score, 60.65+/-20.36) revealed relatively high levels of psychologic distress in those with chronic pain. Consumer satisfaction with pain management care varied, with 32.8% of the subjects reporting dissatisfaction.

Conclusions: The study findings are consistent with earlier findings concerning pain problems in adults with CP and provide further evidence that pain problems may be overlooked and undertreated in this population.