Internet-delivered mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (iMBCT) for chronic pain symptom management in adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial.
Ingrid Bindicsova, Leanne M Hides, Katherine Brain, Fiona J Hodson, Paul Jackson, Mark P Jensen, Dawn M Ehde, Melissa A Day
Journal of Pain July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105429 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized controlled trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 48 |
| Population | Adults with chronic pain |
| Intervention | Internet-delivered mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Chronic pain Feasibility Internet-delivered Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Internet-delivered mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is feasible, acceptable, and may improve pain interference in adults with chronic pain. |
Abstract
The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to examine the feasibility of an internet delivered, self-directed mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (iMBCT) program compared to a delayed treatment (DT) control. This trial employed a 2-group parallel (1:1), design and was pre-registered (ANZCTR Identifier: 12623000833662). Participants were N = 48 adults with chronic pain, randomized into either the 4-week iMBCT program or the DT control. The feasibility indicators were treatment engagement, study retention, treatment acceptability, and at least a small within-condition pre- to post-treatment effect size change in pain intensity or interference. The primary outcome was change in pain intensity, and secondary outcomes were pain interference, depression, sleep disturbance, and positive and negative affect at post-treatment/DT (primary endpoint). A high degree of engagement with iMBCT was found, with participants reporting it acceptable and of benefit; retention rate (88%) was high. Within iMBCT, a small-to-medium effect size improvement in pain interference (p =.031, d = 0.48) was found, and change in pain intensity was small (p =.347, d =.20). Small-to-medium changes were found for the other secondary outcomes within iMBCT. Small-to-less than small effect sizes were observed within DT. These preliminary findings indicate iMBCT is a feasible, tolerable, and acceptable treatment for chronic pain, and may result in meaningful improvements in pain interference. Taken together, the results suggest iMBCT may have the capacity to overcome access barriers and provide individuals with chronic pain a much needed, evidence-based treatment to enhance pain self-management. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the feasibility findings of an internet delivered, self-directed mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for chronic pain program. This novel digital platform may represent a scalable solution to increase access to critically needed chronic pain management services.
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 10
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Zen Meditation for Depression, Anxiety, Pain, and Psychological Distress Journal of Psychiatric Practice July 1, 2012
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Multicenter Study International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health June 29, 2021
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Treating Chronic Pain A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Psychology, Health & Medicine November 26, 2020
- A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Mindfulness Meditation, Cognitive Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain Pain Medicine November 1, 2019
and 5 more in the library