Mindfulness is Associated With Increased Hedonic Capacity Among Chronic Pain Patients Receiving Extended Opioid Pharmacotherapy
The Clinical Journal of Pain February 1, 2017 Elizabeth A. Thomas, Eric L Garland
Among 115 chronic pain patients on long-term opioid therapy, higher dispositional mindfulness was linked to greater hedonic capacity—the ability to experience pleasure—and less pain-related interference in daily life. Hedonic capacity partly explained the connection between mindfulness and pain interference. The results suggest that boosting mindfulness might help reduce pain-related impairment by improving the capacity for pleasure.