LAUSR

[ In this issue of the Scandinavian Journal of Pain Heidi Kempert nd co-workers report on their study of 78 children and adolesents (8–19 years) who took part in an intensive interdisciplinary ain rehabilitation programme with focus on gain in function rather han reduction of pain [1]. Headache/migraine, complex regional ain syndrome (CRPS), amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome AMPS), back pain, and abdominal pain were the most common iagnoses. The 3 weeks intensive multidisciplinary pain rehabiliation programme focused on improving strength and endurance, acilitating return to daily activities, and appropriate coping and ain management skills. They measure progress by improved physcal functioning, even if pain and other symptoms continue without uch immediate change. Physical and occupational therapies were administered durng 3–4 h daily, with individualized muscle strengthening and ndurance, proprioceptive and sensory training. Parents were ncluded and trained to assist in continuing appropriate activities t home. Results at end of the programme were compared with baseine measurements. Self-evaluation with validated scales for upper nd lower extremities was used during the programme. Objective easures were number of push-ups, crunches, prone extension, tep ups, and jump rope repetitions during 60 s. These were easured weekly with the patients self-counting numbers of repeitions. Pain was recorded as pain severity in last 24 h using a 0–10 umeric rating scale [1,2]. These relatively simple assessments of gain in functions clearly how that the multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation programme at