Abstract

Chronic and/or recurrent pain occurs in 20–35% of children and adolescents and represents a significant health problem. In the beginning, the authors mainly focus on descriptions of the intensity and duration of chronic pain in children and adolescents. However, recent studies increasingly stress the impact of chronic pain on a child’s everyday life. The biomedical model has been replaced by the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain, based on the knowledge that pain is a subjective, complex and dynamic experience, which is affected by biological, psychological and social factors. Therefore, the assessment and treatment of chronic pain in a child focus not only on the pain but also on all aspects of quality of life that are affected by the chronic pain. Considering these findings, there is a need for integrated, interdisciplinary treatment of children and families.

Key words: chronic pain, child, psychological aspects of pain, cognitive-behavioural therapy.