A randomized-controlled trial comparing relative effects of mindfulness-based interoceptive exposure focus versus distraction on cold-pressor induced pain.
Corinna Baum, Vanessa Ditter, Janina Wurtz, Maureen Schitter, Anne Martinelli
Behaviour Research and Therapy July 26, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2025.104824 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 160 |
| Population | Healthy adults (mean age 24 years, 71% female) |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based Interoceptive Exposure Task (MIET) distraction task |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Distraction Interoceptive exposure Miet Pain coping Sensory focus |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Both MIET and distraction improved pain tolerance and reduced pain intensity and aversiveness, with MIET showing particular advantage for pain tolerance, and individual differences in mindfulness and fear of pain predicting the MIET effect. |
Abstract
Pain can positively be influenced by the control or direction of attention, e.g. attention diversion from or focusing on pain. The Mindfulness-based Interoceptive Exposure Task (MIET) is an easy to learn and simple to apply interoceptive desensitization method using a sensory focus strategy. This study investigates the distinct effects of sensory-focus and distraction on experimental pain reduction. One hundred and sixty participants (mean age = 24 years, 71 % female) were randomized to a MIET, distraction or passive control condition. Cold pain tolerance, intensity and aversiveness were assessed during task performance and compared to baseline. The MIET and distraction task both improved pain tolerance while reducing pain intensity and aversiveness. Even considering individual pain baselines, both tasks were effective for pain intensity and the MIET for pain tolerance, in particular. Dispositional mindfulness, measured by the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and pain-related fear, measured by the Fear of Pain Questionnaire, served as distinct predictors of the pain-reducing MIET effect. Individuals with lower mindful awareness and nonreactivity on the FFMQ appeared to benefit more from the MIET method, particularly for pain tolerance. Higher fear of pain reduced the effect of the MIET on pain intensity but not on pain tolerance. This study demonstrates the efficacy of attention directing tasks on pain processing and shows distinct advantages of an exposure-based mindfulness task on pain tolerance and intensity.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 11
- Regular, brief mindfulness meditation practice improves electrophysiological markers of attentional control Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Mindfulness meditation–based pain relief: a mechanistic account Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences June 1, 2016
- Differential Item Functioning on the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Is Minimal in Demographically Matched Meditators and Nonmeditators Assessment December 30, 2010
- Mind your pain: A single-arm feasibility study to assess a smartphone-based interoceptive attention training for patients with chronic low back pain. PLoS One 2024
- How do placebo effects contribute to mindfulness-based analgesia? Probing acute pain effects and interactions using a randomized balanced placebo design Pain October 1, 2022
and 6 more in the library