CAM-Pain Evaluation Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Addressing Child and Adolescent Musculoskeletal Pain: CAM-Pain-Evaluation

  • IRAS ID

    361860

  • Contact name

    Kate Dunn

  • Contact email

    k.m.dunn@keele.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Keele University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 3 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Pains in the feet, knees or back (called musculoskeletal pains) are common in children. They are in the top ten causes of disability in children across the world. Despite this, there is hardly any research about childhood musculoskeletal pain. We know very little about the children with musculoskeletal pain who visit the doctor, the treatments and advice given to families, which children get better and which do not, and the experiences of families. This study is part of a larger research programme to develop resources to support families and improve the management of musculoskeletal pain in future.

    We will be evaluating the resources that have been co-developed by children and young people through the use of a pop up online survey and further in-depth interviews. All children and young people and their parents or carers that access the online resources will be asked to complete the pop up survey before they leave the website. We will evaluate (a) how long and in what ways children and young people use the resources, (b) whether the resources change understanding, beliefs and confidence about musculoskeletal pain, self-management of pain and primary care consultations for pain, for children, young people and their parents/carers, (c) views of children, young people and parents on the resources, and (d) views of healthcare professionals on the introduction of the resources, and their use in healthcare settings.

    A patient public involvement and engagement (PPIE) group comprised of children and young people has been involved in the design of study materials including recruitment materials, pop up questions and wording of interviews as well as the resources.

    The results of the study will be shared in journal articles, presented at conferences and made available through websites, social media and events, guided by involvement of children & young people, parents/carers, and professionals.

  • REC name

    East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    26/EE/0102

  • Date of REC Opinion

    1 May 2026

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion