Mindfulness-Based Pain Management (MBPM) for Chronic Pain: a Randomized Clinical Trial
José Ignacio Pérez-Fernández, Karmele Salaberria, Álvaro Ruiz de Ocenda
Mindfulness December 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-022-02023-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 90 |
| Population | Chronic pain patients in Spain |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based pain management (MBPM) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT03992612 |
| Key findings | The MBPM program showed moderate to large positive effects on pain management, acceptance, and psychological outcomes, with greater benefits for non-fibromyalgia patients than those with fibromyalgia. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Europeans, with a prevalence in Spain of 11%. It is one of the main causes of medical consultation and is associated with high personal, social, and economic costs with diverse psychological repercussions. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of psychological therapies in the treatment of chronic pain, including mindfulness-based therapies. In this regard, mindfulness-based pain management (MBPM) has evidenced significant positive changes in patients with chronic pain, but so far, no RCT study has been conducted. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to explore the results of the MBPM program with chronic pain patients. Additionally, we will analyze the differential efficacy of the MBPM program on fibromyalgia versus non-fibromyalgia chronic pain patients.
Methods: Ninety patients with chronic pain were randomized to experimental group MBPM (50 patients) and wait-list control group (40 patients) and assessed at pre- and post-treatment in demographic and pain-related variables, psychopathological symptoms, cognitive variables, resilience, and quality of life.
Results: Findings showed moderate to large effects in favor of the experimental group in pain management and acceptance, use of analgesics, psychopathological symptoms, general negative thoughts, self-blame, mental-health-related quality of life, and resilience. Non-fibromyalgia chronic pain patients benefited significantly more than participants with fibromyalgia.
Conclusions: The positive impact of the MBPM program on critical variables related to chronic pain provides evidence of its efficacy, which could be enhanced with the inclusion of complementary therapeutic CBT components to address sleep problems, need for control, and rumination.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03992612).
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
Cited by 11
- Mindful breathing for cancer pain: efficacy of a single 20-minute session - a randomised controlled study. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care August 20, 2024
- Executive Function Training Through a Mindfulness-Based Neuroeducational Program in Elementary School Students Mindfulness November 1, 2024
- State of the art in EEG signal features of mindfulness-based treatments for chronic pain. Neurological Sciences August 1, 2025
- Why mindfulness matters in musculoskeletal therapies: a narrative review Frontiers in Psychology October 17, 2025
- Mindfulness-based pain management for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a randomized controlled trial Frontiers in Medicine September 28, 2026
and 6 more in the library
Cites 9
- Evaluation of the breathworks mindfulness‐based pain management programme: effects on well‐being and multiple measures of mindfulness Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy November 13, 2009
- Comparative evaluation of group-based mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment and management of chronic pain: A systematic review and network meta-analysis Evidence-Based Mental Health January 23, 2019
- Mindfulness-based interventions for chronic pain: Evidence and applications. Asian Journal of Psychiatry February 2018
- Effectiveness of traditional meditation retreats: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2017
- Effects of Eight-Week-Web-Based Mindfulness Training on Pain Intensity, Pain Acceptance, and Life Satisfaction in Individuals With Chronic Pain Psychological Reports December 1, 2016
and 4 more in the library