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Mindfulness Based Pain Management (MBPM) for Chronic Pain: Long-Term Effects

Karmele Salaberria, José Ignacio Pérez-Fernández, Álvaro Ruiz de Ocenda

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy December 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s10879-025-09698-2 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Longitudinal clinical study Peer reviewed
Sample size 65
Population Patients with non-oncological chronic pain
Intervention Mindfulness-Based Pain Management (MBPM) program
Duration 8-week intervention? (not stated explicitly), 6- and 12-month follow-ups
Topics Meditation
Key findings The MBPM program produced significant improvements in pain intensity, pain acceptance, psychopathological symptoms, negative thoughts related to pain, and physical quality of life that were largely maintained at 12-month follow-up.

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to examine the long-term effects of a Mindfulness-Based Pain Management (MBPM) program on chronic pain in terms of pain intensity, psychopathology, negative thoughts, and quality of life. Additionally, the study aims to explore the impact that various pre- and post-treatment variables have on physical quality of life at 12 months. A longitudinal clinical study was conducted with a sample of 65 patients with non-oncological chronic pain. Assessments were conducted at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Various measures were used to assess pain, acceptance, psychopathological symptoms, negative thoughts and quality of life. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, t-tests, one-way repeated measures ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis. Participants who completed the MBPM program showed significant improvements in pain intensity, pain acceptance, psychopathological symptoms, negative thoughts related to pain, and physical quality of life at post-treatment. These improvements were largely maintained at the 12-month follow-up. The pre-treatment variables that contribute to better quality of life are lower pain intensity and fewer negative thoughts, while the post-treatment variables are lower pain intensity and greater acceptance. It can be concluded that the MBPM program showed positive and lasting effects in patients with chronic pain. Exploring the long-term effects and variables involved in maintaining results are important areas for future research in the field of mindfulness-based interventions for chronic pain.

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students 2006 Observational cohort
Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia 1992 Observational cohort n = 22
Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls 2005 Observational cohort n = 20
Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls 2011 Observational cohort
Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls 2004 Observational cohort

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