title: Parent-child Communication-centered Rehabilitative Approach for Pediatric Functional Somatic Symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are a type of somatization phenomenon. Integrative rehabilitation approaches are the preferred treatment for pediatric FSS. Parental roles in the treatment process have not been established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to present 1) a parent-focused treatment (PFT) for pediatric FSS and 2) the approach's preliminary results.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included 50 children with physical disabilities due to FSS. All children received PFT including physical and psychological therapy. A detailed description of the program's course and guiding principles is provided.
  
  
  METHODS
  FSS extinction and age-appropriate functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post-program, 84% of participants did not exhibit FSS and 94% returned to age-appropriate functioning. At one-year follow-up, only 5% of participants experienced symptom recurrence. No associations were found between pre-admission symptoms and intervention duration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PFT is beneficial in treating pediatric FSS. Therefore, intensive parental involvement in rehabilitation may be cardinal.
authors.affiliation: The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerner
authors.affiliation: The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Ramat Gan, Israel Kaye Academic College of Education, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barak
authors.affiliation: The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Ramat Gan, Israel The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Landa
authors.affiliation: The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Etzyona
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eisenstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome