Approches psychothérapeutiques dans la douleur chronique chez l'enfant et l'adolescent

Chronic pain in children and adolescents may have a significant psychological and social impact. In the last twenty years, research related to pain and its treatment received increased attention. Nowadays, many relevant therapeutic interventions are available. However, psychologists and medical practitioners are not always aware of the existing empirical supported literature. This paper aims at giving a survey on documented effective psychological interventions on pediatric pain. On the whole, we can say that behavior and cognitive therapy, biofeedback, relaxation and hypnosis are particularly relevant. They reduce the intensity of pain, frequency of symptoms and minimize the related outcomes. Further benefits include improvements in quality of life for children and relatives. These interventions have to be integrated in the classical medical practice within a biopsychosocial approach. This implies a collaborative work between psychologists and medical practitioners.