Frontiers in Neuroscience (Sep 2023)

Interim guidelines for the assessment and treatment of pain in children with multiple sclerosis

  • Catherine Stratton,
  • Areti Vassilopoulos,
  • Areti Vassilopoulos,
  • J. Nicholas Brenton,
  • Kirsten Potter,
  • Wendy Vargas,
  • Wendy Vargas,
  • Heather Rumm,
  • Andrea Bartels,
  • Mary Bailey,
  • Charles Odonkor,
  • Charles Odonkor,
  • Sharon Stoll,
  • Sharon Stoll,
  • E. William T. Zempsky,
  • E. William T. Zempsky,
  • E. Ann Yeh,
  • E. Ann Yeh,
  • Naila Makhani,
  • Naila Makhani

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1235945
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17

Abstract

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IntroductionPain in multiple sclerosis (MS) is common, but literature on pain in children with MS remains scarce. Pain has physical, psychological, and social implications in MS, and both comprehensive assessment and interdisciplinary management approaches are needed. We sought to develop an interdisciplinary interim guideline for the assessment and management of pain in children with MS.Methods and materialsWe convened a modified Delphi panel composed of 13 experts in pediatric and adult MS neurology, physiotherapy, pain, patient lived-experience, advanced practice nursing, psychology, physiatry, and MS research. A survey was sent to panelists for anonymous completion. The panel discussed survey themes extracted by the panel chair. The process was repeated twice.ResultsThirteen assessment and treatment recommendations were produced regarding pain in children with MS.DiscussionFuture studies will assess implementation of these pain assessment and treatment guidelines in the clinical setting.

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