Effects of Mindfulness on Postoperative Pain, Anxiety, and Opioid Use: An Integrative Review.
Michael A Miller, Lichuan Ye, Maria van Pelt, Kara J. Pavone
Pain Management Nursing May 13, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2025.04.004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Integrative review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,454 |
| Population | Surgical patients |
| Intervention | mindfulness |
| Topics | Meditation Anxiety |
| Keywords | Opioid use Postoperative pain Preoperative anxiety Surgery |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness is associated with reduced postoperative pain, particularly after seven days, but evidence for reducing opioid consumption or preoperative anxiety is limited and mixed. |
Abstract
This integrative review describes using mindfulness to reduce pain and anxiety during the perioperative period in surgical patients. As an exploratory aim, the relationship between mindfulness and opioid use after surgery was also explored. CINAHL, PubMed and EMBASE databases were queried to identify articles examining the relationship between mindfulness, postoperative pain and opioid consumption, and preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing surgery. Seventeen studies were included in the review, encompassing 1,454 patients. Twelve articles focused on postoperative pain as the primary outcome and 11 of these reported that mindfulness decreased pain scores, mainly after postoperative day seven. Of these 12, seven studies measured opioid consumption and two reported an association between mindfulness and reduction in the use of opioid pain medications. Five articles focused on preoperative anxiety as the primary outcome, and two demonstrated that mindfulness was associated with a statistically significant reduction in anxiety. Evidence suggests that mindfulness has a significant impact on postoperative pain, particularly pain more than one week after surgery. There was limited evidence supporting the use of mindfulness to reduce opioid consumption postoperatively. Similarly, mixed effects were reported describing the use of mindfulness to reduce anxiety before surgery. More research is needed to investigate the impact of mindfulness on pain after surgery and opioid consumption, as well as its impact on anxiety before surgery. Integrating mindfulness into surgical pathways could have positive effects on pain and anxiety for patients during the perioperative and postoperative phases of care.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review General (healthcare, schools, workplace) | 2021 | Review | |
| A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders | 2017 | Review and consensus statement | |
| Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines | 2005 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology | 2018 | Review | |
| Management of Treatment-Resistant Depression: Challenges and Strategies | 2020 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- Qualitative results from a randomized pilot study of eHealth Mindful Movement and Breathing to improve gynecologic cancer surgery outcomes. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology July 18, 2023
- Brief Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is Associated with Faster Recovery in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Pilot Clinical Trial. Pain Medicine June 1, 2023
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions for DSM-5 anxiety disorders Scientific Reports October 14, 2021
- To be mindful of the breath or pain: Comparing two brief preoperative mindfulness techniques for total joint arthroplasty patients. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology June 24, 2021
- Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Annals of Behavioral Medicine September 22, 2016
and 1 more in the library