Exploring the Prevalence of Pediatric Chronic Pain and School Absenteeism for Therapists Working in Schools: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Aim: To explore the prevalence of school absenteeism for children with chronic pain and to identify the characteristics of children with chronic pain who report absenteeism. Methods: Systematic review with meta-analyses of quantitative studies. Studies were included if they reported mean days absent from school in children with chronic pain aged 5–18 years, attending a full-time school program. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Participant characteristics of age, gender, pain duration, pain type, and data collection setting were collated. Results: Eighteen quantitative studies involving 2963 children with chronic were included. Studies had moderate to high quality of evidence. Meta-analysis demonstrated 13.28 mean days were spent absent from school in a 60-day period (95% CI 10.21, 16.34) (p < 0.001). Participants were predominantly females (71.8%) aged 14.1 years (SD 2.32). The most experienced pain type was combined headache or head pain (46.9%) and average duration since pain onset was 32.5 months (SD 36.34). Conclusions: Children with chronic pain aged 5–18 years are absent for approximately 22% of school days, in a 60-day period. Early, targeted intervention for absenteeism and poor school functioning is recommended. Future research could evaluate the role of school-based therapists in screening at risk students and improving attendance and outcomes.