Mindfulness in pain self-control of people with chronic pain: a cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional survey of 23 adults with chronic pain found that most had never tried mindfulness but knew what it was and considered it a viable option for pain self-management. The sample was mostly middle-aged women with fibromyalgia; nearly half had experienced pain for over 20 years. Average pain intensity was moderate, acceptance was low, and pain interfered with daily activities. Moderate positive correlations emerged between pain acceptance and willingness to practice mindfulness, and between satisfaction with mindfulness practice and pain self-control. The authors argue that non-pharmacological measures such as mindfulness should be included in chronic pain management.

Study at a glance

Abstract

IntroductionChronic pain has a significant impact on individuals’ daily lives, and its control is essential for improving quality of life. In this sense, the practice of Mindfulness is a useful non-pharmacological technique for self-management of chronic pain.ObjectivesThis study aims to identify the level of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of Mindfulness for self-control of pain by people with chronic pain.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 23 adults with chronic pain. The online survey assessed sociodemographic characterization, Brief Pain Inventory, and knowledge/opinion about the effectiveness of mindfulness strategies.ResultsThe sample consisted mostly of middle-aged women, with family support, employed and with higher academic qualifications. 47.8% of the sample had experienced pain for over 20 years with the most prevalent diagnosis being fibromyalgia. The average intensity of chronic pain corresponded to moderate pain and the level of acceptance of it was low, interfering in instrumental activities of daily life. Although they had never tried the technique, most of the sample knew what mindfulness consisted of, considering it as a viable option for self-management of chronic pain. Moderate and positive correlations were found between the level of acceptance of pain and greater availability for the practice of mindfulness (rho=.137; p<.001), the same happened between satisfaction with the practice of mindfulness and self-control of pain (rho=.259; p<.001).ConclusionsOur findings outline the need to include non-pharmacological measures such as mindfulness in therapeutic schemes for chronic pain management, given the manifest interest of this population.DisclosureNo significant relationships.