What's happened
A recent study reveals that hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective treatments for chronic stomach pain in children, impacting up to 300 million globally. The research, involving over 7,200 children, calls for increased access to these therapies in the UK, challenging existing prejudices against psychosocial treatments.
What's behind the headline?
Key Findings
- Efficacy of Treatments: Hypnotherapy is 68% more successful, while CBT shows a 35% improvement over no treatment.
- Need for Guidelines: Current treatment methods are inconsistent due to a lack of established guidelines, leading to varied prescriptions among practitioners.
- Prejudice Against Psychosocial Treatments: There is a notable bias against non-medical therapies, despite their proven effectiveness.
Implications
- Healthcare Access: The study emphasizes the need for better access to hypnotherapy and CBT, which are currently underutilized despite their safety and efficacy.
- Future Research: Calls for further studies on other treatment options highlight the need for a comprehensive understanding of chronic abdominal pain in children.
- Impact on Families: The burden of chronic pain on children and their families underscores the urgency of addressing this issue within healthcare systems.
What the papers say
According to Ella Pickover in The Independent, the study led by Professor Morris Gordon from the University of Central Lancashire analyzed 91 studies involving over 7,200 children. The findings indicate that hypnotherapy and CBT are significantly more effective than other treatments, which often lack robust evidence. Professor Gordon noted, "Almost one in 20 of every single children’s appointment in a hospital outpatients will be explicitly for this problem compared to all other problems in the UK."
In contrast, the NY Post highlights the broader context of chronic pain treatments, noting that many existing therapies for conditions like lower back pain are only marginally effective. This comparison underscores the importance of exploring non-pharmacological options like CBT and hypnotherapy, which have shown promise in various studies. The Independent's coverage focuses specifically on the pediatric aspect, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to children's health issues.
How we got here
Chronic stomach pain affects up to 12% of children worldwide, leading to significant functional impairments. Previous treatments have varied widely, often lacking evidence-based guidelines. This study aims to provide clarity on effective treatment options.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of this study for children's healthcare?
- How can parents access these therapies for their children?
- What other treatments were evaluated in the study?
Common question
-
What Are the Best Treatments for Children's Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain in children, particularly stomach pain, is a pressing issue affecting many families. Recent research highlights effective treatments like hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which may offer better outcomes than traditional methods. This raises important questions about accessibility and the implications for parents and healthcare providers.
More on these topics
-
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
-
The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country primarily located in Western Europe and partly in the Caribbean, forming the largest constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
-
Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. With a population of over 21 million, Florida is the third-most populous and the 22nd-most extensive of the 50 United States.