Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40958984›Full record

ArticlePaediatric & neonatal pain2025

Communication Strategies for Children With Chronic Pain Across the Ages: A Qualitative Study of Physiotherapists Using Vignette-Based Focus Groups.

Jessica Coventry, Rhianydd Thomas, Luke M Davies, Cylie M Williams, Binh Ta, Verity Pacey

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Paediatric & neonatal pain, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jessica CoventrySchool of Primary and Allied Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Frankston Victoria Australia.
Rhianydd ThomasDepartment of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences Macquarie University Macquarie New South Wales Australia.
Luke M DaviesSchool of Primary and Allied Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Frankston Victoria Australia.
Cylie M WilliamsSchool of Primary and Allied Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Frankston Victoria Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0223-9141
Binh TaSchool of Primary and Allied Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Frankston Victoria Australia.
Verity PaceySchool of Primary and Allied Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Frankston Victoria Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Good communication strategies are essential in the management of chronic pain in children. While physiotherapists play a key role in pain management, there is limited guidance on adapting communication strategies for children of different ages. This study describes the communication approaches physiotherapists consider when working with children experiencing chronic lower limb pain and how they adapt these strategies across developmental stages. This study incorporated a qualitative design with three case vignettes and semi-structured focus groups with 20 physiotherapists with experience in pediatrics (mean 11 years physiotherapy experience, 70% with 80%-100% pediatric caseload). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three key themes were generated: (1) Understanding the child and their needs, tailored to the child's developmental level, interests, and communication style; (2) Reassuring and empowering the child, highlighting strategies to build trust, validate pain experiences, and foster autonomy; and (3) Educating the child and their family, addressing pain-related misconceptions and supporting pain management. Additionally, four communication strategies were described by physiotherapists as methods they employ during consultations to support their approaches. These were (1) visual aids, (2) mirror child's language, (3) storytelling and analogies, and (4) age-appropriate resources. Physiotherapists describe understanding, empowering, and educating children with chronic pain through diverse communication strategies tailored to the child's age. These findings highlight the different approaches that may be helpful for physiotherapists who are new to pediatrics or chronic pain management and may enhance physiotherapy practice and improve outcomes for children with chronic pain.

Indexed as

child‐centered carechronic paincommunication strategiespediatric physiotherapyqualitative research

Identifiers

PMID40958984
PMCPMC12434478

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.