Pain in children with intellectual disabilities: A randomized controlled trial evaluating caregiver knowledge measures
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Abstract
Inadequate knowledge has contributed to inaccurate pain assessment and treatment for children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Aims: Develop and evaluate pain knowledge measures and accompanying self-report ratings; determine their sensitivity to change. Materials/Methods: Young adults (n = 77; Mage = 18.89; SD = 2.29; 67 females) were randomly assigned to one of two ‘caring for children with ID’ training programs (pain, visual supports). Participants completed pre-post measures of pain knowledge and six self-report ratings of feasibility, confidence and perceived skill in pain assessment and treatment. Results: After controlling for pre-training scores, pain knowledge and self-report ratings were significantly higher following pain training versus visual support training. Conclusions: These measures show promise for the evaluation of pain knowledge in secondary caregivers.