Impact of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Trajectory of Mood States in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Observational Study of Within-Session Evaluations

In a group of 33 adults with chronic pain who took part in an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program, mood improved markedly both during individual sessions and across the entire program. Vigor increased, while depression, tension-anxiety, and confusion decreased. Participants who started with higher tension-anxiety showed the greatest gains in anger, depression, tension, and confusion. The findings suggest that MBCT can enhance emotional well-being in chronic pain patients, especially those with elevated anxiety.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a well-documented treatment option for chronic pain. However, few studies have examined the emotional state experienced by participants with chronic pain during the sessions. This study aimed to assess the trajectory of mood experiences in an MBCT program and evaluate the effect on temporal mood state. Methods: The Temporary Mood Scale (TMS) was used to assess vigor, fatigue, anger-hostility, depression-dejection, tension-anxiety, and confusion before and after each MBCT session from July 2018 to May 2019. A total of 33 patients with chronic pain who attended the MBCT program were included in the study. A mixed-effect model was used to identify single-session and overall effects on each mood state. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to examine the associations between changes in the six mood states and baseline conditions, including pain-related factors. Results: The mixed-effect model identified significant improvements in single-session effects on all mood states (p < 0.001). Significant overall effects were identified on vigor (p < 0.01), depression-dejection (p < 0.01), tension-anxiety (p < 0.001), and confusion (p < 0.05) states throughout the sessions. Moreover, participants with higher tension-anxiety at baseline showed significantly greater improvements in anger-hostility (p < 0.05), depression-dejection (p < 0.01), tension-anxiety (p < 0.05), and confusion (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Individual sessions and the overall MBCT program significantly improved the mood states of patients with chronic pain. Patients with higher tension-anxiety are likely to be effective treatment targets for MBCT programs.