The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for children with chronic pain (CHACT) on the function of 7 to 12 year-old children

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Children with Chronic Pain (CHACT) on the function of 7 to 12 year-old children. Thus, the basic problem of the current study is whether CHACT can improve the function level of 7 to 12 year-old children with chronic pain?

Method: According to the criteria of chronic pain, a number of children with chronic pain were selected by available sampling method from specialty and subspecialty pediatric hospitals of Tehran. Then, among the children, 20 children who according to their parents prepared to participate in this study and met the inclusion criteria, were selected. They were placed in the experimental group (n = 10) and control group (n = 10). The child and parent versions of Function Disability Inventory (FDI) were answered by children and parents in both groups at the pre-test, post-test, first and second follow-up.

Result: The result showed that the experimental group compared with the control group showed significant change in function in multiple stages. These changes continued after the treatment, first and secondary follow-up.

Conclusion: Regarding the impact of CHACT on the function of children with chronic pain, it can be said that this protocol can be used in clinical fields, especially in the area of improving the function that appears that is one of the most vulnerable areas that children with chronic pain are faced with it.