BACKGROUND

Burns are a common and traumatic source of childhood injury in the United States. The treatment and recovery from burn injuries can be significantly painful and may lead to chronic or persistent pain for years following the initial incident. Further, burn injuries in youth have been found to increase the potential for significant psychosocial (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD) and physical (e.g., decreased mobility) impairment. Relatedly, the general experience and processing of pain in youth can also be associated with greater psychosocial (e.g., anxiety, depression) impairment and functional disability over time. However, the phenomenology and associated characteristics of the pain experience following burn injury and, in particular, the potential for combined impact on physical and psychosocial outcomes in youth with severe and/or prolonged pain and a history of burn injury is poorly understood.

METHODS

A review of the literature was performed in the areas of burn injuries and outcomes associated with both acute and chronic pain with youth and adult populations.

RESULTS

The current review highlights current gaps in the literature in important areas of function in youth with a history of burn injuries using the biopsychosocial model of pain. Future research and considerations for practice are also outlined.

CONCLUSIONS

Gaining a greater understanding of the relationship between pain, physical impairment, and psychosocial functioning in these youth is significantly important in order to provide greater preventative and treatment-related intervention going forward.

SIGNIFICANCE

Using a biopsychosocial framework, this review highlights the need for a greater understanding of pain processing and the long-term potential for persistent pain and pain-related impairment (e.g., functional disability) in youth with a history of burn injuries.