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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Widespread Musculoskeletal Pain

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Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Medical Conditions

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

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Abstract

Widespread musculoskeletal pain is a chronic and debilitating pain condition associated with impairment in multiple domains of functioning, with notable declines in physical functioning and difficulty tolerating basic activities such as attending school, spending time with friends, and helping with chores. Activity limitations and physical deconditioning may present challenges for mental health clinicians seeking to provide intervention. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based, effective treatment modality to reduce functional disability and improve pain-specific cognitions (e.g., fear of movement, pain catastrophizing) in youth with widespread musculoskeletal pain. In addition to psychoeducation and relaxation training, CBT for chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain has a strong emphasis on resuming normal physical functioning using behavioral activation, activity pacing with scheduled breaks, and cognitive restructuring for maladaptive pain-specific beliefs. Additionally, there is evidence that incorporating graded exercise training within treatment can be particularly useful to build endurance and address physical deconditioning.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The case presented in this chapter represents a confabulated case example for didactic purposes. Any similarity to a specific patient is coincidental.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Medicine Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Lauren M. Fussner

  2. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Anne M. Lynch-Jordan

Authors
  1. Lauren M. Fussner
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  2. Anne M. Lynch-Jordan
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Correspondence to Lauren M. Fussner .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Child Emphasis Area, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Robert D. Friedberg

  2. Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Jennifer K. Paternostro

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Fussner, L.M., Lynch-Jordan, A.M. (2019). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Widespread Musculoskeletal Pain. In: Friedberg, R.D., Paternostro, J.K. (eds) Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Medical Conditions. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21683-2_13

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