Children with amplified pain syndrome have an abnormal neurological response to pain, causing them to feel it more intensely. This can lead to decreased quality of life and chronic disability. These children often have other medical conditions that make their chronic pain more difficult to treat, such as juvenile arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or inflammatory bowel disease.

The Pediatric Amplified Pain Rehabilitation (PAPR) Program is an intensive inpatient program for children with severe amplified pain syndrome. While our long-term treatment goal is pain relief, our immediate goal is to help our patients regain functions lost due to pain. For example, the goal could be walking without crutches, returning to school or participating in sports again. We also teach healthy, effective strategies for managing stress.

After discharge, children continue using their regained functions and new coping skills at home. Most continue to see their outpatient mental health providers but do not need outpatient rehabilitative therapy. It is in this second phase — usually one to six months after discharge — that we see significant improvement and often total resolution of pain.