The Pain Provocation Technique as an Adjunctive Treatment Module for Children and Adolescents with Chronic Disabling Pain: A Case Report

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe a new treatment strategy for children with both chronic pain and severe emotional distress, the “pain provocation technique” (PPT), and report on its utilization in a 15-year-old boy with both pain and adjustment disorder. The PPT is a treatment method including graded exposure and bilateral stimulation to increases in pain intensity and the use of pain coping strategies and bilateral stimulation to decreases in pain intensity. Core outcome variables (pain intensity, disability, school absence, emotional distress) were assessed at admission, and 3, 6, and 12 months post treatment. Results indicated a decrease in pain intensity and emotional distress. The single case design limits interpreting the results. Therefore, further studies are warranted.

Keywords:

• bilateral stimulation
• pain disorder
• traumatic pain
• pain therapy in children
• graded exposure

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Dr. Lance McCracken for his helpful comments and suggestions. This work was supported by the Vodafone Foundation Germany gGmbh.