Journal of Pain Research (Dec 2020)
Martial Arts-Based Therapy Reduces Pain and Distress Among Children with Chronic Health Conditions and Their Siblings
Abstract
Hilary A Marusak,1– 3 Allesandra S Iadipaolo,4 Cindy Cohen,5 Elimelech Goldberg,5,6 Jeffrey W Taub,6,7 Felicity WK Harper,3,7 Martin H Bluth,5,8 Christine A Rabinak1,2,4,9 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; 2Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; 3Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA; 4Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; 5Kids Kicking Cancer, Southfield, MI, USA; 6Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; 7Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; 8Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA; 9Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USACorrespondence: Hilary A Marusak Tel +1 313-577-1278Fax +1 313-577-6188Email [email protected]: Test whether a martial arts-based therapy, Kids Kicking Cancer (KKC), can reduce pain and emotional distress in children with cancer, other chronic health conditions (e.g., sickle cell), and healthy siblings.Methods: This study surveyed children’s pain and distress levels immediately before and after a 1-hr in-person KKC class. Eligible participants were enrolled in standard KKC classes, were diagnosed with a chronic health condition (e.g., cancer, sickle cell) or were the sibling of a child diagnosed and were between the ages of 5– 17 years (inclusive). Children reported on their pain and distress using Likert-style scales (Coloured Analog Scale and modified FACES scale, respectively). Friedman test was used to test for overall changes in pain and distress, and within subgroups. Age and sex effects were evaluated using Spearman’s rank-order correlation. Additional Yes/No questions were administered regarding KKC satisfaction and use of techniques.Results: Fifty-nine youth (19 cancer patients, 17 non-cancer patients, 23 siblings; 5– 17 yrs, 26 females) completed this study. Overall, there was a significant reduction in pain (p = 0.033) and emotional distress (p < 0.001) after a 1-hr class, with 50% and 89% of youth reporting a reduction in pain and distress, respectively. On average, pain levels remained within the mild/moderate range on average (i.e., pre vs. post levels; pre: M = 1.67, post: M = 1.33) and emotional distress went from mild/moderate to none/mild distress, on average (pre: M = 1.92, post: M = 1.08). Youth with higher pre-class pain and distress reported greater reductions (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The reduction in pain appeared to be most pronounced with cancer and non-cancer patients. In contrast, the reduction in distress appeared to be most pronounced among healthy siblings. However, overall, reductions in pain and distress did not significantly differ among subgroups (i.e., cancer patients, non-cancer patients, siblings), and change in pain and distress was not associated with age or sex. Ninety-six percent of youth would recommend KKC to others and 81% reported using KKC techniques (e.g., the Breath BrakeTM or other martial arts techniques) outside of class, such as at home.Conclusion: Results support the more widespread application of KKC as a psychosocial intervention for reducing pain and distress in various pediatric populations.Keywords: meditation, mindfulness, oncology, psychosocial, sickle cell, leukemia
