On the 20th June 2019, Cochrane members published an overview review in the PAIN Journal on the efficacy of pharmacological interventions for children with chronic pain and cancer-related pain (https://bit.ly/2MMm5UH). The overview summarises the evidence from 23 systematic reviews, including several Cochrane Library reviews from our NIHR Programme Grant (https://papas.cochrane.org/nihr-programme-grant-2014-17). This work also builds on a policy workshop we held in 2018 focussing on this topic (https://bit.ly/2RGOGcK).
The overview highlights the lack of available evidence across all drugs aimed at relieving pain in children (just 6 trials of 393 participants). Therefore, we have launched a large dissemination plan to share these findings. We are publishing articles, blogs, newsletters, videos, and co-ordinating a social media campaign to help us start a conversation about the importance of evidence production in children’s pain.
We thank everyone who has contributed to this important piece of work. Please do feel free to use these links and distribute them widely to help us improve the science, policy and practice of paediatric pain management.
Resources
- Open access overview in PAIN: https://bit.ly/2MMm5UH and commentary via Ovid
- Cochrane Special Collection: https://bit.ly/2IM11ta
- Cochrane editorial: https://bit.ly/2YgN5N0
The story continues...
In 2020, Professor Christopher Eccleston, Dr Emma Fisher, and others produced The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health Commission’s report to address paediatric pain and recommend what more can be done to help children and young people: https://www.thelancet.com/commission/paediatric-pain
In December 2020, the WHO published Guidelines on the management of chronic pain in children: access here.
Our Cochrane Reviews contributed to the guideline and Dr Emma Fisher led the review of effectiveness.
Overview (taken from the guideline)
In these guidelines, the World Health Organization (WHO) provides evidence-informed recommendations for the management of chronic pain in children. The recommendations are based on the most current, high-quality scientific evidence, and were formulated following processes and using methods that meet the highest international standards for guideline development. The recommendations in this guideline are based on systematic reviews of the evidence on benefits, harms, acceptability and feasibility, as well as on equity and resource considerations. The recommendations were formulated by the Guideline Development Group, consisting of individuals with diverse expertise and experiences and with global representation.
The purpose of this guideline is to assist WHO Member States and their partners in developing and implementing national and local policies, regulations, pain management protocols and best practices. It will help countries balance concerns about ensuring access to appropriate therapies for pain relief with the harms arising from misuse of medications and other potential adverse effects of interventions for pain management.
These guidelines focus on physical, psychological and pharmacological interventions for the management of primary and secondary chronic pain in children 0 to 19 years of age.