Journal of Pediatric Psychology 29(3) pp. 197-209, 2004
Journal of Pediatric Psychology vol. 29 no. 3 © Society of Pediatric Psychology 2004; all rights reserved
A Review of Empirically Supported Psychosocial Interventions for Pain and Adherence Outcomes in Sickle Cell Disease
1 University of British Columbia, 2 University of California, Los Angeles, and 3 Stanford University, HopeLab
All correspondence should be addressed to Edith Chen, University of British Columbia, Department of Psychology, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z4. E-mail: echen{at}psych.ubc.ca.
Objective To review empirical studies of psychological interventions for pain and adherence outcomes among patients with sickle cell disease. Method We conducted a literature review of studies using psychological interventions targeted at pain and/or adherence behaviors related to sickle cell disease. The American Psychological Association Division 12 Task Force criteria (Chambless criteria) were used to evaluate the empirical support for three categories of interventions (cognitive-behavioral techniques, interventions aimed at behavioral change, and social support interventions). Results A small number of intervention studies met criteria for demonstrating empirical efficacy. As a group, cognitive-behavioral techniques fall into the category of probably efficacious for sickle cell pain. Other intervention types were limited by inadequate research methodologies. Conclusions Future studies will need to more stringently test outcomes related to acute crises (e.g., pain episodes) as well as day-to-day management of sickle cell disease to clarify the most efficacious intervention approaches. Implications and suggestions for future research directions are discussed.
Key words: sickle cell; psychosocial; intervention.