The Role of Psychosocial Risk Status in Relation to Outcomes Following Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Youth with Abdominal Pain-Related Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction
Recommended Citation
Senger-Carpenter T, Pierce S, Zuckerman J, Cheney-Makens E, Adler M, Cunningham N. The Role of Psychosocial Risk Status in Relation to Outcomes Following Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Youth with Abdominal Pain-Related Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2026;33(3):526-534.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2026
Publication Title
Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings
Keywords
Humans, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Adolescent, Abdominal Pain, Child, Female, Male, Treatment Outcome, Anxiety, Risk Factors, Pain Measurement
Abstract
It is unknown whether youth with abdominal pain-related disorders of gut-brain interaction (AP-DGBI) and clinically elevated pain intensity, functional disability, and anxiety ("high-risk") respond differentially to the Aim to Decrease Anxiety and Pain Treatment (ADAPT), an evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy program, compared to youth with fewer risk factors ("low-risk"). This secondary analysis included youth aged 9-14 with AP-DGBI recruited from outpatient gastroenterology clinics and randomized to receive ADAPT plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU-alone. Baseline risk status was determined using an established grading system derived from validated measures. Differences in post-treatment (~ 8 weeks) pain intensity, functional disability, and anxiety were examined using a multivariate analysis of covariance model with an interaction of risk-status-by-treatment-allocation. Data from 79 youth were analyzed; 29 (36.7%) were high-risk. Risk status (F(3, 72) = 3.30, Wilks' Λ = 0.879, p = 0.025) predicted higher post-treatment pain intensity (estimated marginal mean difference high versus low risk 1.47 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.44, 2.50]) and functional disability (5.71 [95% CI 1.38, 10.05]), but not anxiety. Accounting for risk status, ADAPT did not affect post-treatment outcomes and no risk-by-treatment-interaction emerged. Risk status predicted post-treatment outcomes for youth with AP-DGBI. Clinical implications include screening of psychosocial risk factors.
Medical Subject Headings
Humans; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Adolescent; Abdominal Pain; Child; Female; Male; Treatment Outcome; Anxiety; Risk Factors; Pain Measurement
PubMed ID
42010055
Volume
33
Issue
3
First Page
526
Last Page
534
