Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Youth With Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and Chronic Pain and Their Parents: A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder affecting about 1 in 3,500 individuals. Chronic pain is commonly reported among individuals with NF1 and plexiform neurofibroma tumors (PNs). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an empirically supported method for addressing chronic pain, helps individuals re-focus on valued relationships and activities. This pilot study investigated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a brief ACT workshop in the NF1 population. Eligible participants included adolescents and young adults (AYA; 12–21 years) with NF1 and chronic pain that interfered with daily functioning and their parents. Patients and parents completed baseline measures of pain interference, pain intensity, functional disability, pain acceptance, depression, and anxiety. Then, AYA and parents participated separately in a 2-day small-group ACT workshop. A telephone booster session occurred 1 month post-intervention. Three-month post-treatmentmeasureswere completed bymail. Ten adolescents (4males; M age¼ 16.9 years) and seven parents provided baseline and 3- month data. Mean satisfaction with the study was moderate to high (3.9 for patients and 4.6 for parents on a 1–5 scales). Patients and parents reported significant declines in patients’ pain interference at 3 months post-treatment. Patient-reported pain intensity significantly declined from baseline to 3 months. Parents reported marginally greater acceptance of their child’s pain. No changes emerged in functional ability or mood. Preliminary findings suggest that a brief ACT group intervention is feasible and may help AYA with NF1 and PNs copewith their chronic pain, although larger randomized studies are needed to confirm treatment efficacy.
 

Key words: acceptance; mindfulness; Neurofibromatosis 1; adolescents and young adults; parents