title: Single-session biofeedback-assisted relaxation training in children with sickle cell disease.
abstract: Sickle cell disease (SCD) pain remains difficult to manage. This pilot study evaluated single-session biofeedback-assisted relaxation training (BART) for SCD pain in children. Ten participants (mean = 12.1 y) completed a 1-hour BART session using thermal biofeedback and home practice. Participants demonstrated changes in peripheral body temperature after the training session (d = 1.08) and at 6-week follow-up (d = 0.97) relative to their baseline visit. Reductions in patient-reported pain frequency were found after completing BART. Health-related quality of life and pain-related disability improvements were observed; however, effect sizes were small to minimal. Single-session BART may be a promising, complementary approach to medical management of pediatric SCD pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. mmyrvik@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Myrvik
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Butcher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012064:Relaxation Therapy