The Intensive Pain Rehabilitation and Education Program (IPREP)
IPREP is an intensive outpatient pain rehabilitation program that includes both individual and group therapies. IPREP provides the highest level of outpatient chronic pain treatment that is offered at Nationwide Children’s.
The program is designed for patients with a physician referral who:
- Are ages 10-18
- Have limited daily functioning
- Are medically stable
- Had an inadequate response to previous pain treatments
About Us
IPREP is a three-week pain rehabilitation program that combines traditional and alternative therapies. These therapies include physical therapy, occupational therapy, pain psychology, music, therapeutic recreation, acupuncture, and massage therapy. Nationwide Children’s unique facilities provide real-life integration of skills, such as a test kitchen, community reintegration activities and a patient academic and school success program.
The IPREP team communicates with the patient, family, referring provider and the primary care provider to provide a seamless transition as the patient starts and completes the program. The IPREP team interacts with the patient’s school to help them re-integrate back into school successfully.
Our Clinic
The Comprehensive Pain Management Clinic provides assistance to children and their families in distress from complex and/or long-term pain-related problems. Our focus is to help these children, teens and young adults regain the parts of their lives that pain has taken away.
We offer a multidisciplinary team that supports patients with chronic pain conditions, as well as their families. Our goal is to teach you and your family skills to manage your pain. Lear more here: Comprehensive Pain Management Clinic.
Patient Outcomes
“Both patients and families benefit from the support of others who are experiencing similar journeys. In addition to peer support, patients who complete IPREP show remarkable outcomes including:
- Successful school re-integration
- Patient reports of improved mental health and coping skills
- Fewer missed days of school
- Improved peer relationships
Related Specialties
Meet Our Team
Physician Team
- Timothy Smith, MD – Medical Director
Advance Practice Nursing Team
- Lauren E. Renner, CPNP-PC – Clinical Leader
- Sharon Wrona, DNP, CPNP, FAAN – Program Director
Psychologists
- Lindsey Vater, PsyD
- Ashley Debeljak, PsyD
- Kathleen Lemanek, PhD - Director Pain Psychological Services
- Jessica Hoehn, PhD
Social Work
- Allie Syrowski, MSW, LISW
Nursing
- Kaitlin Jone, RN
Physical Therapists
- Josh Gardner, PT, DPT
- Meredith Haskell, PT, DPT
- Alicia Kempton, PT
Occupational Therapists
Recreational Therapists
School and Academic Success Program
Massage Therapists
Acupuncturists
Administrative
- Sharon Wrona, CPNP-PC, PMHS, DNP, FAAN - Program Director
What to Expect
IPREP is a supportive three-week program designed to help children and teens manage chronic pain and get back to doing the things they enjoy. Each weekday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., patients take part in a variety of therapies, such as physical and occupational therapy, therapeutic recreation, pain psychology, music therapy, massage, acupuncture, and academic support, all under the guidance of a caring medical team.
Parents are an important part of the process and join in daily afternoon sessions to learn more about chronic pain and ways to support their child’s progress at home. Together, families and the IPREP teamwork toward helping each child feel stronger, more confident, and ready to return to everyday activities with less pain.
To learn more and view a full schedule of the program, click here.
Our Therapies
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy: Use of Essential Oils
- Biofeedback
- Massage Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Patient Academic and School Success (PASS)
- Physical Therapy
- Psychology
- Therapeutic Recreation
- Music Therapy
- Art Therapy
