Speaker: Adrienne Harvey


Cerebral palsy is one of the most common physical disabilities of childhood, with a global prevalence of 1.6 per 1,000 live births. Children with cerebral palsy experience a range of co-morbidities, including epilepsy, intellectual disability, and pain. Chronic pain is common in children and young people with cerebral palsy, with a reported prevalence of up to 77%; however, it is poorly understood, identified, and managed. Pain prevalence in children and young people with cerebral palsy increases with the severity of gross motor impairment, age, and female gender and has multiple contributing factors.
Pain assessment in children and young people with cerebral palsy presents several challenges due to the complexity of pain within this heterogeneous population and the impact that disability has on pain assessment. Pain assessment is complicated by varying intellectual ability, communication methods, and functional ability across the cerebral palsy population. Inconsistent pain assessment compromises effective pain management, potentially causing poorer quality of life and reduced participation.
This presentation will utilize recent evidence to provide a background to how pain presents in children and young people with cerebral palsy. The challenges associated with assessing and managing pain in this population will be explored. Solutions for accurately assessing pain in children with cerebral palsy will be presented using a biopsychosocial approach with a focus on how pain impacts activities important to children and families. Finally, current evidence for management options, as well as where future research should focus, will be highlighted.


Learning Objectives:
1. Consider the challenges of assessing and managing pain in children and young people with cerebral palsy.
2. Describe the lived experience of chronic pain for children and young people with cerebral palsy and their families.  
3. Consider management options tailored to children and young people with cerebral palsy with chronic pain.