Are Formal and Informal Home Mindfulness Practice Quantities Associated With Outcomes? Results From a Pilot Study of a Four-Week Mindfulness Intervention for Chronic Pain Management.
Carrie E Brintz, Geneva Polser, Rogelio A Coronado, Benjamin French, Keturah R Faurot, Susan A Gaylord
Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2024 DOI: 10.1177/27536130241236775 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-arm study Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 21 |
| Population | Adults with chronic pain (mean age 54 years, 81% White, mean pain duration 7 years) |
| Intervention | mindfulness of daily activities) |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Adherence Chronic pain Engagement Home practice Mindfulness intervention |
| Citations | 13 |
| Registration | NCT03495856 |
| Key points | Informal home practice quantity, but not formal practice quantity, was associated with improved outcomes during an abbreviated mindfulness-based intervention for chronic pain. |
Abstract
The association between home mindfulness practice quantity in standard length mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and chronic pain outcomes is variable. Few studies focus on abbreviated MBIs (< 8 weeks) and distinguish between formal guided practices and informal practices in daily life. To characterize home mindfulness practice and explore associations between home practice quantity and pre-to-post-outcome changes after an MBI for chronic pain. In this single-arm study, 21 adults with chronic pain (mean age = 54 years, 81% White, mean pain duration = 7 years) completed an MBI with four weekly group sessions. Pre and post self-report measures of pain intensity/interference, physical function, depression, anxiety, positive affect, sleep disturbance (all PROMIS measures), and pain acceptance, catastrophizing, perceived stress and mindfulness were completed, along with daily surveys of formal (mindfulness of breath, body scan) and informal (breathing space, mindfulness of daily activities) practice. Bivariate correlations and multivariable regression models were used to assess the association between days and minutes of practice and change in outcomes. On average, formal practice was completed on 4.3 days per week and 13.5 minutes per day. Informal practice was completed on 3.5 days per week and 8.6 minutes per day. Formal practice was not significantly correlated with outcomes (Spearman's ρ = |.01|-|.32|), whereas informal practice was correlated with multiple outcomes (ρ = |.04|-|.66|). Number of days practiced informally was associated with improved pain interference, physical function, sleep disturbance, and catastrophizing (p's ≤ .05). Number of minutes practiced informally was associated with improved pain interference, anxiety, positive affect, and catastrophizing (p's ≤ .05). Informal home practice quantity, but not formal practice quantity, is associated with improved outcomes during an abbreviated MBI for chronic pain. For these MBIs, it is important to evaluate the distinct roles of formal and informal practice. NCT03495856.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on psychotic symptoms and psychological outcomes in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research December 1, 2024
- Rethinking Practice in Mindfulness-Based Interventions: A Theoretical Model of How Formal Practice, Informal Practice, Practice Quality, and Dispositional Mindfulness Interact Over Time Qeios September 30, 2026
- Feasibility of a Virtual Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention for Individuals With Chronic Pain: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR Formative Research September 23, 2026
- Spaces : A Student-Informed, Course-Based Program to Enhance Wellbeing and Present-Moment Awareness in University Undergraduates medRxiv January 16, 2026
- Mindfulness Components and Their Clinical Efficacy: A Critical Review of an Ongoing Debate. Healthcare January 13, 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 16
- Home practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants' mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes Behaviour Research and Therapy May 10, 2017
- Monitoring mindfulness practice quality: An important consideration in mindfulness practice Psychotherapy Research October 9, 2012
- The secret ingredient in mindfulness interventions? A case for practice quality over quantity. Journal of Counseling Psychology 2014
- Does practice quality mediate the relationship between practice time and outcome in mindfulness-based stress reduction? Journal of Counseling Psychology July 25, 2019
- The importance of formal versus informal mindfulness practice for enhancing psychological wellbeing and study engagement in a medical student cohort with a 5-week mindfulness-based lifestyle program. PLoS One 2021
and 11 more in the library