Occupational therapy treatment of complex regional pain syndrome in children and adolescents: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

This scoping review will explore the literature related to occupational therapy interventions and delivery methods for pediatric complex regional pain syndrome.Introduction: Complex regional pain syndrome is a debilitating pain condition that is becoming increasingly diagnosed within the pediatric population. Untreated, it can negatively impact a child's occupational engagement and participation, social functioning, and family dynamics. A multidisciplinary treatment approach is typically recommended, with occupational therapy as an essential component. Occupational therapy interventions for pediatric complex regional pain syndrome usually promote a child's ability to participate in daily activities to prevent further impairment and disability. Despite evidence that occupational therapy practitioners treat this population, no review has been conducted of the available literature on occupational therapy interventions for pediatric complex regional pain syndrome.Inclusion criteria: This review will consider studies that include any form of occupational therapy interventions for participants with complex regional pain syndrome who are 18 years or younger. Quantitative, qualitative, and observational studies, and text and opinion papers will be considered. Methods:The JBI methodology will be used to conduct this scoping review. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, OTDBASE, OT Search (AOTA), OTseeker, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global will be searched for studies in English, with no limit on publication date. Two independent reviewers will screen the titles, abstracts, and full texts of the selected studies. Data collection will be performed using a tool developed by the researchers based on the standardized JBI tool. Data will be presented in a comprehensive narrative summary.

Pediatric Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Occupational Therapy Intervention: A Scoping Review

“…This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews (Peters et al, 2020) and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR; Tricco et al, 2018). This review was also conducted in accordance with an a priori protocol (Rider et al, 2022).…”

“…In addition, pediatric CRPS may differ from adult forms in terms of severity or clinical presentation, further complicating the diagnosis (Katholi et al, 2014). Due to a lack of validated diagnostic criteria for pediatric CRPS, this review considered studies that do not fully describe the diagnosis process or specify who provided the diagnosis (Rider et al, 2022).…”

“…Studies were included if they involved pediatric patients with CRPS receiving OT interventions. Studies were excluded if they only mentioned OT but did not describe specific interventions or if the OT interventions could not be distinguished from multidisciplinary treatment (Rider et al, 2022).…”

“…The search strategy, including all identified keywords and controlled vocabulary, was adapted for each included information source, and searches were performed on April 20, 2022 (see Supplemental Appendix A). The OTDBASE was included in the protocol (Rider et al, 2022), but this database was excluded from the final review due to technical issues. Two independent reviewers screened the reference list of all studies selected for inclusion of additional studies.…”

“…The extracted data included details about the population, concept, context, evidence source characteristics, study methods, and key findings relevant to the review objective (see Supplemental Appendix C). Modification of the JBI data extraction tool consisted of the following additions: details about interventions, setting of interventions, areas of impairment being targeted, and level of involvement of family and caregivers (Rider et al, 2022).…”