Wisconsin’s COVID-19 Safer-at-Home Order: Perspectives on Pain, Stress, and Functioning From Pediatric Patients With Chronic Pain

Ashin Mehta, BS; Johanna R. Michlig, BS; Monica L. Gremillion, PhD; Kim Anderson Khan, PsyD; W. Hobart Davies, PhD; Steven J. Weisman, MD; Keri R. Hainsworth, PhD

WMJ. 2022;121(3):231-234

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ABSTRACT

Background: Given that enforced quarantine is associated with psychological distress, our objective was to understand factors that either helped or harmed pediatric chronic pain patients during Wisconsin’s 2020 safer-at-home quarantine.

Methods: We reviewed the electronic medical records of 145 pediatric chronic pain patients seen at the Jane B. Pettit Pain and Headache Center, Children’s Wisconsin, between April 1 and July 30, 2020.

Results: Stress and poor/disturbed lifestyle factors were primary contributors to increased pain. Over half of the sample (58.7%) reported COVID-related stressors as contributing to increased stress levels. Coping, engagement, and socialization were primary contributors to patient functioning.

Conclusions: Continued access to clinicians who can help with coping and stress management techniques is necessary for the well-being of pediatric chronic pain patients during a quarantine.

Author Affiliations: Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Mehta); Department of Anesthesiology, MCW, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Michlig, Gremillion, Anderson Khan, Weisman, Hainsworth); Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Davies).
Corresponding Author: Ashin Mehta, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Wauwatosa, WI; phone 510.676.5363; email amehta@mcw.edu; ORCID ID 0000-0001-5757-4636
Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank all staff members at the Jane B. Pettit Pain and Headache Center for their dedication during this time.
Funding/Support: None declared.
Financial Disclosures: None declared.

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