Pain is a significant problem affecting adolescents, including in Switzerland, and is estimated to affect between 4% and 40% of boys and girls. Persistent pain – lasting more than three months – affects two out of ten people under the age of 19 but, fortunately, only in 5% of cases does it limit girls and boys in their activities.

The project “Pain in adolescents: investigation of factors associated with development and persistence”, carried out by the Rehabilitation Research Laboratory - 2rLab in collaboration with the Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS) and the EOC Pain Therapy Centre, aims to establish the factors associated with the development of pain and its persistence over time in adolescents in Ticino.

The project, which will start in January 2026, will involve approximately 3,250 pupils from public secondary schools in Ticino and will last for six months. Participation by pupils will be on a voluntary basis.

The first part of the study will take place during a school hour normally included in the educational programme; The project will then continue with short follow-up questionnaires that will be sent by email, at most once a month for six months.

For more information about the project, please watch the following video.

Further information about the study can be requested by writing to Anna Folli, Research Associate at the Rehabilitation Research Laboratory – 2rLab.