Action to Improve Pain Classification During Healthcare Visits

Investigators from the CP Research Network (CPRN) have published a new article on efforts to improve pain assessment in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) during healthcare visits, with a particular focus on advancing how pain is classified. The article was published in the Disability and Health Journal.

Building on prior work to standardize pain screening, the initiative aims to help clinicians better distinguish between different types and causes of pain, a critical factor in determining effective treatment. While screening identifies whether pain is present and impacting daily life, classification enables more precise, personalized care.

This work builds directly on earlier research by the team, which demonstrated that standardized screening can significantly improve the identification of pain affecting activity in adults with CP. Contributors from the Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center, Hana Azizi, MD, and Elisabeth Bates, MSN, CPNP, have been involved in advancing these efforts through CPRN’s quality improvement initiatives.

Adults with CP frequently experience chronic pain, yet it remains inconsistently documented and treated. By improving both screening and classification, this research aims to close that gap and support better long-term outcomes for individuals aging with CP.