Objectives Adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia (JFM) are typically sedentary despite recommendations for physical exercise, a key component of pain management. Interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are beneficial but do not improve exercise participation. The objective of this study was to obtain preliminary information about the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of a new intervention - Fibromyalgia Integrative Training for Teens (FIT Teens), which combines CBT with specialized neuromuscular exercise training modified from evidence-based injury prevention protocols. Methods Participants were 17 adolescent females (ages 12–18) with JFM. Of these, 11 completed the 8-week (16-session) FIT Teens program in a small-group format with 3–4 patients per group. Patients provided detailed qualitative feedback via individual semi-structured interviews after treatment. Interview content was coded using thematic analysis. Interventionist feedback about treatment implementation was also obtained. Results The intervention was found to be feasible, well-tolerated, and safe for JFM patients. Barriers to enrollment (50% of those approached) included difficulties with transportation or time conflicts. Treatment completers enjoyed the group format and reported increased self-efficacy, strength, and motivation to exercise. Participants also reported decreased pain and increased energy levels. Feedback from participants and interventionists was incorporated into a final treatment manual to be used in a future trial. Discussion Results of this study provided initial support for the new FIT Teens program. An integrative strategy of combining pain coping skills via CBT enhanced with tailored exercise specifically designed to improve confidence in movement and improving activity participation holds promise in the management of JFM.

Objective To evaluate whether clinical anxiety in children presenting to a pediatric pain management center is associated with a poorer treatment response for those who completed pain-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Study design The total sample consisted of 175 children, 40 of whom completed CBT for chronic pain. The Screen for Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) was completed at initial evaluation and outcome measures (average pain intensity and the Functional Disability Inventory [FDI]) were collected during the initial evaluation and at the end of CBT. Group differences in outcomes were examined following CBT. The role of anxiety in CBT initiation and completion was also explored. Results Presence of clinical anxiety was associated with greater initiation and/or completion of pain-focused CBT but also a poorer treatment response. Specifically, the group with subclinical anxiety exhibited a substantial reduction in pain intensity, and the group with clinical anxiety exhibited a more limited response to treatment (F (1, 36) = 13.68 p < 0.01). A similar effect was observed for FDI, such that the group with clinical anxiety had a significantly smaller response to treatment (F (1, 38) = 4.33 p < 0.05). The differences in pain and disability between groups following CBT suggest moderate effects (Cohen’s d = 0.77 and 0.78, respectively). Conclusions Although youth with clinical anxiety are more likely to start and/or complete pain-focused CBT, anxiety has an adverse impact on CBT treatment response in children with chronic pain. Identification of patients with anxiety and use of tailored behavioral interventions may improve clinical outcomes.

There were age-related differences regarding whether anxiety or pain catastrophizing more strongly predicted specific functional outcomes. Assessment and intervention efforts should emphasize both anxiety and pain catastrophizing.

Juvenile-onset fibromyalgia (JFM) is typically diagnosed in adolescence and characterized by widespread pain and marked functional impairment. The long-term impact of JFM into adulthood is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to describe physical and psychosocial outcomes of youth diagnosed with JFM in early adulthood (~ 8-year follow-up), examine longitudinal trajectories of pain and depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood, and examine the impact of pain and depressive symptoms on physical functioning over time. Participants were 97 youth with JFM enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study in which pain symptoms, physical and psychosocial functioning were assessed at four time points over approximately eight years. At the Time 4 follow-up (M age = 24.2 years), the majority continued to

The SCARED shows promise as a measure of anxiety in pediatric pain. Important caveats for its usage and areas in need of additional research are discussed. Of importance in pediatric pain is improving current approaches for measuring school anxiety in this population.