Thematic Groups

The thematic groups develop content output. Their activities include exploring specific themes, creating practical tools, and conducting literature studies to strengthen the knowledge base. Additionally, both the core team and the thematic groups are closely involved in developing and providing training initiatives, actively contributing to the professional development of care professionals in the field of pain in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Because members of the thematic groups work at various care institutions, they foster collaboration between these institutions and Pain Care (Un)limited.

Results of the thematic groups to date:

• Overview of behavioral observation instruments for pain in people with intellectual disabilities
• Practical guide for detecting, diagnosing, and treating Persistent Physical Complaints (PPC) in people with intellectual disabilities
• Training plan aimed at care professionals and vocational education
• Training for caregivers and therapists

Plans of the thematic groups for 2025:

• The diagnostics and treatment thematic groups focus on investigating the applicability of measurement instruments for chronic pain and the applicability of non-pharmacological treatments in people with intellectual disabilities. Both groups aim to provide practical advice on implementation.
• The psychosomatics thematic group focuses on disseminating and implementing the developed PPC guide in care organizations.
• The education thematic group focuses on:
  • Raising awareness of pain and how to manage it among care professionals working with people with intellectual disabilities
  • Spreading knowledge through the "train the trainer" principle: training experts who can pass on knowledge
  • A pilot for developing a lesson package on pain detection for caregivers
  • Establishing contacts with vocational training programs to implement the topic of pain in education focused on care for people with intellectual disabilities
  • Providing training and presentations for educational and knowledge organizations upon request

All thematic groups will continue working with (information from) the developed guideline for pain in adults with intellectual disabilities in 2025.

In addition to the activities of the thematic groups, work in 2025 will focus on:

• Implementation of the guideline for pain in adults with intellectual disabilities (Pain in People with Intellectual Disabilities - SKILZ), which will be published in 2025. This involves collaboration between various care organizations. Interested parties can contact: info@pijnzorgonbeperkt.nl
• Networking to broadly raise awareness of the topic of pain and intellectual disabilities among care organizations, professional associations, knowledge organizations, and policy organizations
• Collaborating with various parties in the areas of implementation, knowledge sharing, research, and grant applications
• Developing an e-learning module about pain for clients and caregivers
• Research into:
  • Emotion regulation and co-regulation focused on pain in people with intellectual disabilities
  • Personalized pain signaling
  • A measurement instrument for orofacial pain (pain in the mouth and face) in people with intellectual disabilities