Nonpharmacological Interventions to use with Children in Pain

Children's pain is often poorly managed, and interventions other than medications are rarely used. Yet many nonpharmacological interventions are helpful in managing children's pain. These techniques are reviewed, and the physiological mechanisms underlying them are briefly addressed. A discussion of the three major classifications (sensory, cognitive, and cognitive-behavioral) of interventions follows. Factors that influence the use of nonpharmacological techniques, including type of pain and developmental level, are discussed.