Robert C. Gibler, PhD

Professional Background

Dr. Robert Gibler is a pediatric psychologist specializing in the research and treatment of pediatric chronic pain. Dr. Gibler studies nonpharmacological interventions for pediatric chronic pain, and he is particularly interested in the role of physical activity in the treatment and prevention of chronic pain in children and adolescents. He has served as a therapist for multiple federally funded studies examining psychological and exercise-based treatments for chronic pain conditions like juvenile fibromyalgia and migraine.

Dr. Gibler's clinical practice in the Department of Pediatrics is called the Pain Coping Clinic. He offers cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a structured, short-term treatment that focuses on providing patients with skills they can use to manage pain and other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.

In addition to his research and clinical service, Dr. Gibler enjoys teaching and mentoring students, residents, and fellows who are learning about psychology. He is a member of several professional societies, including the Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP), the American Headache Society (AHS), the United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP), and the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Dr. Gibler also serves on the editorial board for the peer-reviewed journal Headache.

• BA, Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH
• MA, Clinical Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
• PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
• Residency, Behavioral Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, National Institutes of Health T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Child Behavior and Nutrition Research (T32DK063929), Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH

• Psychologist, State of Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board

• United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP), Pediatric Special Interest Group (SIG), Co-Chair, 2025 - 2027
• American Headache Society, Associate Editor, 2024 - Present
• American Headache Society, Member, 2021 - Present
• United States Association for the Study of Pain (USASP), Member, 2019 - Present
• International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), Member, 2017 - Present
• Society of Pediatric Psychology, Member, 2015 - Present

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Research

Overview

Dr. Gibler's research program aims to promote psychological well-being and improve physical functioning among children and adolescents living with chronic pain. He is particularly interested in combined psychological and exercise-based interventions for youth with chronic pain and other co-occurring medical conditions.

• Integrating behavioral pain management to improve physical activity in family-based behavioral treatment for pediatric obesity, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), PI
• Examining the role of body composition in the treatment of pediatric high-impact chronic pain, Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition Kemper Pilot Award, PI

• Gibler RC, Kashikar-Zuck S, Selhorst M, Stinson J, Simons L, Ittenbach RF. 2026. Psychometric validation of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia for Youth (TSK-7-Y): A brief measure of movement-related fear in youth with chronic pain. PAIN
• Gibler RC, Peugh JL, Pfeiffer M, Thomas S, Williams SE, Beasley K, Bonnette SH, Collins S, Beals-Erickson SE, Ounpuu S, Briggs M, Stinson JN, Myer GD, Kashikar-Zuck SM. 2023. Associations between patient-reported functional disability and measures of physical ability in juvenile fibromyalgia. PAIN, 165 (3), 589-595
• Li R, Gibler RC, Rheel E, Slack K, Palermo TM. 2023. Recommendations for Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System pediatric measures in youth with chronic pain: a COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments systematic review of measurement properties.. PAIN, 165 (2), 258-295
• Kashikar-Zuck S, Thomas S, Bonnette S, Gibler RC, DiCesare C, Schille A, Hulburt T, Briggs MS, Ounpuu S, Myer GD. 2024. Comparison of pain characteristics, strength, and movement patterns in adolescents with juvenile fibromyalgia and high versus low fear of movement. The Journal of Pain, 25 (9), 104586
• Gibler RC, Jastrowski Mano KE. 2021. Systematic Review of Autonomic Nervous System Functioning in Pediatric Chronic Pain.. The Clinical journal of pain, 37 (4), 281-294
• Gibler RC, Abelson E, Williams SE, Lynch-Jordan AM, Kashikar-Zuck S, Jastrowski Mano KE. 2022. Establishing the Content Validity of a Modified Bank of School Anxiety Inventory Items for Use Among Adolescents With Chronic Pain.. Journal of pediatric psychology, 47 (9), 1044-1056
• Gibler RC, Beckmann EA, Lynch-Jordan AM, Kashikar-Zuck S, Mano KEJ. 2019. Characterizing Social and Academic Aspects of School Anxiety in Pediatric Chronic Pain.. The Clinical journal of pain, 35 (7), 625-632
• Jastrowski Mano KE, O'Bryan EM, Gibler RC, Beckmann E. 2019. The Co-occurrence of Pediatric Chronic Pain and Anxiety: A Theoretical Review of a Developmentally Informed Shared Vulnerability Model.. The Clinical journal of pain, 35 (12), 989-1002
• Daffin M, Lynch-Milder MK, Gibler RC, Murray C, Green CM, Kashikar-Zuck S. 2021. A qualitative study of risk and resilience in young adult women with a history of juvenile-onset fibromyalgia.. Pediatric rheumatology online journal, 19 (1), 128
• Kracht C, Bolamperti G, Breedon R, Crocker M, Christifano D, Gibler R, Gyllenborg G, Johnson P, Lovell J, Mathews L, Onuoha O, Samaroo N, Troimoff A, Weidling P, Wallisch A. 2026. Safety and Effectiveness of Melatonin Use in Young Children: A Systematic Review. JAMA Network Open, 9 (1), e2551958