Effects of Eight-Week-Web-Based Mindfulness Training on Pain Intensity, Pain Acceptance, and Life Satisfaction in Individuals With Chronic Pain
Jessica Henriksson, Emma Wasara, Michael Rönnlund
Psychological Reports December 1, 2016 DOI: 10.1177/0033294116675086 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 107 |
| Population | Adults with chronic pain |
| Intervention | Online discussion forum |
| Dose | 20 minutes per day, six days a week, for eight weeks |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | An eight-week web-based mindfulness program improved mindfulness, pain, and well-being outcomes in adults with chronic pain compared to an online discussion forum. |
Abstract
This study examined the effects of an eight-week-web-based mindfulness program designed for individuals with chronic pain. A sample of 107 participants with chronic pain ( M = 51.0 years, SD = 9.3) were randomly assigned to a treatment group and a control group. The mindfulness program involved 20 minutes of training per day, six days a week, for eight weeks. During this period, the control group was invited to an online discussion forum involving pain-related topics. A total of 77 participants completed the postintervention assessment ( n = 36 in the treatment group, n = 41 in the control group). The group assigned to mindfulness training showed increased mindfulness skills (Cohen’s d = 1.18), reduced pain intensity ( d = 0.47–0.82), reduced pain-related interference/suffering ( d = 0.39–0.85), heightened pain acceptance ( d = 0.66), reduced affective distress ( d = 0.67), and higher ratings of life satisfaction ( d = 0.54) following the training with no or minor changes up for the control group ( d values 0.01–0.23), a pattern substantiated by significant group-by-time interactions. Despite limitations of this study, including a less than ideal control group to isolate effects of mindfulness and lack of a long-term follow-up, the results appear promising and may motivate further investigations.
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 23
- Enhancing Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Management: A Systematic Review of Mindfulness Therapies and Guided Imagery Interventions. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) April 23, 2024
- Design Preferences, Routines, and Well-Being of Older Adults Using Voice-Guided Digital Mindfulness: Qualitative Interview Study. JMIR human factors June 3, 2025
- A literature review of Breathworks and mindfulness intervention British Journal of Healthcare Management May 2, 2018
- Mindfulness influences the psycho-social dimension of chronic pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial in Indian context. Indian Journal of Psychiatry October 1, 2023
- Online mindfulness interventions in the care of people with physical and mental health conditions: a scoping review. BMJ Open July 18, 2025
and 18 more in the library
Cites 14
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Evaluation of the breathworks mindfulness‐based pain management programme: effects on well‐being and multiple measures of mindfulness Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy November 13, 2009
- Effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in improving mental health: A review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review April 1, 2016
- Mindfulness online: an evaluation of the feasibility of a web-based mindfulness course for stress, anxiety and depression BMJ Open November 1, 2013
and 9 more in the library