The Movement, Mindfulness, and Pain Science (MMaPS) Class Improves Well‐Being and Physical Function in Patients With Chronic Pain
Sharna Prasad, Olivia Coskey, Micah Wong, Jonathan D. Jones
Musculoskeletal Care March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/msc.70076 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 155 |
| Population | Patients with chronic pain of any type |
| Interventions | Movement Mindfulness and Pain Science (MMaPS) class |
| Duration | 8-week course |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Patients with chronic pain had significant improvements in several measures of wellness and physical function after participating in the MMaPS class. |
Abstract
ABSTRACTObjectivesThis study sought to quantify the impact of participation in an interactive class for patients with chronic pain called Movement, Mindfulness, and Pain Science (MMaPS), on physical function, pain catastrophizing, and quality of life.MethodsPatients with chronic pain of any type were enroled in an 8‐week course that implemented principles of safe movement, mindfulness, and meditation practice, and also incorporated education related to the biopsychosocial model of pain science. Questionnaires were collected from participants who attended the MMAPS programme in the 2018 through 2020 sessions prior to and after the class to measure participant outcomes, which included the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), Adverse Childhood Events score (ACE), Quality of Life scale (QOL), Patient Specific Functional Score (PSFS), 30 s sit to stand (30 STS), and 4‐stage balance (4SBT).ResultsOne hundred fifty‐five people completed the class. The median Pain Catastrophizing Scale score dropped from 19 to 11 (p < 0.001). Median Quality of Life scores increased from 5 to 6 (p < 0.001) on a 10‐point scale. Patient Specific Functional Scale scores improved from an average score of 2.5 to 5.1 (p < 0.001). Median 30 Second Sit‐to‐Stand scores improved from 8 to 11 (p < 0.001). The 4‐stage balance test improved with 39% of patients having completed all four stages at intake and 56% completing all four stages by the end of class (p = 0.001).ConclusionPatients with chronic pain had significant improvements in several measures of wellness and physical function after participating in the MMaPS class.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement vs Supportive Group Therapy for Co-occurring Opioid Misuse and Chronic Pain in Primary Care JAMA Internal Medicine February 28, 2022
- Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of the treatment literature and neurobiological evidence. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience October 2, 2017
- Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Annals of Behavioral Medicine September 22, 2016
- Acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of chronic pain: a meta-analytic review Cognitive Behaviour Therapy January 2, 2016