Does mindfulness meditation improve chronic pain? A systematic review

A systematic review of 13 randomized controlled trials found that mindfulness meditation significantly reduced depression in people with chronic pain (standardized mean difference −0.28). There were trends toward benefit for affective pain, sensory pain, and anxiety, though these were not statistically significant. Mental health, physical health, and overall quality of life improved with mindfulness meditation. The most prominent effects of mindfulness meditation were on the psychological aspects of living with chronic pain, improving associated depression and quality of life.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Purpose of review Psychological factors are associated with chronic pain. Mindfulness meditation may ameliorate symptoms. The objective was to evaluate the effects of mindfulness meditation in chronic pain. Recent findings A systematic search of four databases identified 534 citations; 13 Randomised controlled trials satisfied the inclusion criteria. Mindfulness meditation significantly reduced depression [Standardised mean difference (SMD) −0.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.53, −0.03; P = 0.03; I 2 = 0%]. For affective pain (SMD −0.13; 95% CI −0.42, 0.16; I 2 = 0%), sensory pain (SMD −0.02; 95% CI −0.31, 0.27; I 2 = 0%) and anxiety (SMD −0.16; 95% CI −0.47, 0.15; I 2 = 0%) there was a trend towards benefit with intervention. Quality of life items on mental health (SMD 0.65; 95% CI −0.27, 1.58; I 2 = 69%), physical health (SMD 0.08; 95% CI −0.40, 0.56; I 2 = 32%) and overall score (SMD 0.86, 95% CI −0.06, 1.78; I 2 = 88%) improved with mindfulness meditation. Summary Mindfulness meditation has most prominent effect on psychological aspects on living with chronic pain, improving associated depression and quality of life.