Pediatric chronic pain is a common public health problem with a high prevalence among children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to review the current knowledge of health professionals on pediatric chronic pain between 15–30% among children and adolescents. However, since this is an underdiagnosed condition, it is inadequately treated by health professionals. To this aim, a systematic review was carried out based on a search of the electronic literature databases (PubMed and Web of Science), resulting in 14 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The analysis of these articles seems to show a certain degree of heterogeneity in the surveyed professionals about the awareness of this concept, especially regarding its etiology, assessment, and management. In addition, the extent of knowledge of the health professionals seems to be insufficient regarding these aspects of pediatric chronic pain. Hence, the knowledge of the health professionals is unrelated to recent research that identifies central hyperexcitability as the primary factor affecting the onset, persistence, and management of pediatric chronic pain.
Background/Objectives: Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has demonstrated efficacy in adults with chronic pain, but the pediatric evidence is still developing, despite its increasingly frequent use. Evidence for the effectiveness of PNE in pediatrics remains fragmented across settings and outcomes, which justifies a systematic evaluation focused on children and adolescents. Methods: Following PRISMA, two reviewers independently screened records (PubMed, Web of Science, PEDro; through 21 July 2025), extracted data, and assessed risk of bias (RoB 2 for randomized controlled trials; NIH/CASP for non-randomized studies). Given the heterogeneity, we conducted a structured narrative synthesis (SWiM) and rated the certainty of evidence with GRADE. PROSPERO: CRD420251062922. Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. PNE consistently improved pain-related knowledge, with effects maintained at follow-up (moderate certainty); effects on pain intensity, function, and emotional outcomes were small and inconsistent (low certainty), with more favorable patterns when PNE was combined with exercise and/or booster sessions. Digital and gamified formats proved feasible and engaging; parental outcomes showed small improvements where measured. Conclusions: PNE is a promising, low-cost, and scalable component of pediatric chronic pain care, strengthening self-efficacy and adaptive coping. Integration into biopsychosocial, multidisciplinary programs—particularly alongside exercise and family involvement—may optimize outcomes. Larger, standardized trials with long-term follow-up and systematic adverse-event reporting are needed to solidify guidance for clinical practice.
Gambling disorder (GD) is a behavioral addiction associated with significant psychosocial consequences and high psychiatric comorbidity, including anxiety, depression, and impulsivity; however, the role of physical activity (PA) as a potential modulator of these alterations remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PA levels and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and impulsivity in patients with GD. An observational study was conducted with 62 adults diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria, recruited from AJUPAREVA (Valladolid, Spain). PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Personality trails where evaluated with CEPER III, impulsivity with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and the Plutchik Impulsivity Scale, and anxiety and depression with the Hamilton Anxiety (HAM-A) and Depression (HAM-D) scales. Participants were predominantly male (91.5%) and reported moderate-to-high PA levels. No significant differences were found in total impulsivity across PA levels; however, motor impulsivity was higher in highly active individuals, while non-planning impulsivity was greater in those with low PA. Anxiety and depression were highly prevalent (~65%) with no significant associations with PA. In conclusion, PA was not significantly associated with psychiatric outcomes in this clinical sample, highlighting the need for larger, longitudinal studies to clarify its potential role within multidisciplinary interventions for GD.