While sex differences in pain-related coping have been widely reported, little is known with respect to sex differences in changes in coping following multimodal pain treatment and how these changes relate to treatment outcome. A study by Hechler and associates investigated sex differences in coping strategies between boys and girls with chronic pain prior to multimodal inpatient treatment and at three-month follow-up. Sixty-four boys and 103 girls with various pain disorders were evaluated. Core outcomes (pain intensity and pain-related disability) and coping were assessed via validated questionnaires. At admission, boys and girls used similar coping strategies. Three months following treatment, boys and girls decreased passive pain coping and seeking social support while they maintained the degree of positive self-instruction. Girls displayed higher seeking social support than boys and, only for girls, a reduction in seeking social support was related to decreases in pain intensity. In both groups, the changes in coping were related to positive treatment outcome. Results suggest that both groups may benefit from reductions in passive pain coping and seeking social support. The causal quality of this relationship remains to be determined in future studies. Gender-role expectations and family interactions may account for the sex differences demonstrated for seeking social support.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: Boys and girls with chronic pain showed profound similarities in pain-related coping strategies prior and after multimodal pain treatment. The changes in coping are related to positive treatment outcomes. Sex-specific treatment strategies for changing seeking social support may need to be developed and tested for their differential efficacy in boys and girls.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE CONSUMER:
The study nicely demonstrated the differences between boys and girls with respect to coping with pain. Hechler and colleagues should continue their research to determine why girls are more apt to seek social support than boys. This is especially true given the experience and outcome measures used by the investigators.

T Hechler et al. Changes in Pain-Related Coping Strategies and Their Importance for Treatment Outcome Following Multimodal Inpatient Treatment: Does Sex Matter? Journal of Pain, March 23, 2010.