Trauma-Informed Procedural Pain Intervention: Refinement of an Evidence-Based Protocol

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the Trauma-Informed Procedural Pain Intervention (TIPPI-R) to support children and families in managing pain and distress during the initial stages of cancer treatment. This trial aims to see if TIPPI-R increases the use of helpful pain coping strategies, lowers perceived pain intensity, and boosts confidence in coping with pain and distress for pediatric cancer patients. Families receiving TIPPI-R will be compared to those receiving standard care to measure these effects. Participants will either receive TIPPI-R, a one-session intervention delivered by a psychologist, psychology trainee, or social worker, which provides education on procedural pain, pain perception factors, pain assessment tools, and cognitive-behavioral pain management strategies, or they will receive standard care which may include psychoeducation and support from mental health providers. If the intervention is delivered later than planned, participants will be moved to a delayed intervention group. A follow-up session is conducted 4 weeks after the initial TIPPI-R session to assess knowledge, skills, and offer further referrals if needed. During the study, participants complete surveys measuring pain coping strategies, perceived pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, confidence managing pain and distress, and distress at baseline (within 5 weeks of diagnosis) and again 4 to 6 weeks later. The study uses randomization without masking and collects data to understand how TIPPI-R impacts pain and distress during early cancer treatment. Participants may be involved for about 4 to 6 weeks, including the initial intervention and follow-up assessments.

Trauma-Informed Procedural Pain Intervention: Refinement of an Evidence-Based Protocol