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

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-year-old hemophilic child with factor VIII inhibitor. Self-regulation training was effective in decreasing pain intensity and analgesic dependence, with 1-year follow-up demonstrating substantial improvements across both medical and psychosocial parameters.