Exploring the Prevalence of Pediatric Chronic Pain and School Absenteeism for Therapists Working in Schools: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Jen Norton; Nicole Southon

doi:10.1080/01942638.2020.1836705

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Exploring the Prevalence of Pediatric Chronic Pain and School Absenteeism for Therapists Working in Schools: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Exploring the Prevalence of Pediatric Chronic Pain and School Absenteeism for Therapists Working in Schools: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Jen Norton and Nicole Southon

Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, Vol.41(3), pp.227-243

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2020.1836705

PMID: 33148083

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

school attendance

school functioning

school absenteeism

Children and adolescents

education

pediatric chronic pain

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Aim: To explore the prevalence of school absenteeism for children with chronic pain and to identify the characteristics of children with chronic pain who report absenteeism. Methods: Systematic review with meta-analyses of quantitative studies. Studies were included if they reported mean days absent from school in children with chronic pain aged 5–18 years, attending a full-time school program. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Participant characteristics of age, gender, pain duration, pain type, and data collection setting were collated. Results: Eighteen quantitative studies involving 2963 children with chronic were included. Studies had moderate to high quality of evidence. Meta-analysis demonstrated 13.28 mean days were spent absent from school in a 60-day period (95% CI 10.21, 16.34) (p < 0.001). Participants were predominantly females (71.8%) aged 14.1 years (SD 2.32). The most experienced pain type was combined headache or head pain (46.9%) and average duration since pain onset was 32.5 months (SD 36.34). Conclusions: Children with chronic pain aged 5–18 years are absent for approximately 22% of school days, in a 60-day period. Early, targeted intervention for absenteeism and poor school functioning is recommended. Future research could evaluate the role of school-based therapists in screening at risk students and improving attendance and outcomes.

Details

Title: Exploring the Prevalence of Pediatric Chronic Pain and School Absenteeism for Therapists Working in Schools: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jen Norton (Author) - Queensland Department of Education
Nicole Southon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Publication details: Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, Vol.41(3), pp.227-243
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc.
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1080/01942638.2020.1836705
ISSN: 1541-3144
PMID: 33148083
Organisation Unit: USC Business School - Legacy; School of Health - Occupational Therapy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Physiotherapy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99498807902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Pediatrics; Rehabilitation

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