Functional pain syndromes in the practice of a pediatric neurologist: a literature review

Objective. To analyze research findings on the primary definitions of functional pain syndromes in pediatric practice and to determine possible approaches for managing patients in this group.
Materials and methods. The search was conducted using the MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, and eLIBRARY search engines with the keywords “functional neurological disorders,” “children,” “pain syndrome,” “headaches,” and “nonspecific dorsalgias”. Publications related to literature reviews, randomized controlled trials, and clinical case series descriptions were selected. A total of 22 literature sources covering the period from 1970 to 2025 were analyzed.
Results. Based on the experience of foreign colleagues, it is considered that the development of functional pain syndromes is rooted in psychogenesis features, evaluated within the sociopsychobiological model. This concept accounts complex neurobiological cognitive processes responsible for the perception of life events, the function of attention to them and to one's own symptoms, as well as mnestic functions involved in forming previous experiences. Furthermore, the model incorporates complex cognitive processes of self-awareness and self-control, including mechanisms of experiencing the significance (meaning and sense) of perceived information. We also believe that a number of genetic factors underlie the development of functional pain syndromes, which is supported by current research.
Conclusion. A key aspect in the management of patients is the exclusion of an organic substrate in the development of pain syndrome, preventive measures aimed at avoiding chronification, as well as relevant and timely comprehensive therapeutic support. The effectiveness is achieved through the interaction of medical specialists within multidisciplinary teams using both drug and nondrug methods, as well as behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

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