Behavioral medicine in pain and analgesia management for the hemophilic child with factor VIII inhibitor

Abstract
The present report describes the application of self-regulation techniques (progressive muscle relaxation, meditative breathing and guided imagery) to the management of bleeding and arthritic pain and analgesic dependence in a 9 yr old hemophilic child with factor VIII inhibitor. Self-regulation training was effective in decreasing pain intensity and analgesic dependence, with a 1 yr follow-up demonstrating substantial improvements across both medical and psychosocial parameters.