Effects of Hypnosis vs Mindfulness Meditation vs Education on Chronic Pain Intensity and Secondary Outcomes in Veterans: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Rhonda M Williams, Melissa A Day, Dawn M Ehde, A. Turner, Marcia A Ciol, Kevin J Gertz, David R Patterson, Shahin Hakimian, P. Suri, M. Jensen
Pain January 25, 2022 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002586 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 328 |
| Population | Veterans with chronic pain |
| Interventions | Hypnosis Mindfulness meditation Education control |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Education |
| Registration | NCT02653664 |
| Key findings | Hypnosis and mindfulness meditation produced greater decreases in pain intensity and pain interference at follow-up compared to an active education control, with no significant differences between the two treatments. |
Abstract
Effective, rigorously evaluated nonpharmacological treatments for chronic pain are needed. This study compared the effectiveness of training in hypnosis (HYP) and mindfulness meditation (MM) to an active education control (ED). Veterans (N=328) were randomly assigned to 8 manualized, group-based, in-person sessions of HYP (n = 110), MM (n = 108), or ED (n = 110). Primary (average pain intensity; API) and secondary outcomes were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3- and 6-months posttreatment. Treatment effects were evaluated using linear regression, a generalized estimating equation approach, or a Fisher exact test, depending on the variable. There were no significant omnibus between-group differences in pre- to posttreatment change in API, however pre- to posttreatment improvements in API and several secondary variables were seen for participants in all three conditions. Participation in MM resulted in greater decreases in API and pain interference at 6-months posttreatment relative to ED. Participation in HYP resulted in greater decreases in API, pain interference, and depressive symptoms at 3- and 6-months posttreatment compared to ED. No significant differences on outcomes between HYP and MM were detected at any time point. This study suggests that all three interventions provide posttreatment benefits on a range of outcomes, but the benefits of HYP and MM continue beyond the end of treatment, while the improvements associated with ED dissipate over time. Future research is needed to determine whether the between-group differences that emerged posttreatment are reliable, whether there are benefits of combining treatments, and to explore moderating and mediating factors. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02653664
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 9
- Psilocybin induces spatially constrained alterations in thalamic functional organizaton and connectivity. Neuroimage October 15, 2022
- Direct comparisons between hypnosis and meditation: A mini-review. Frontiers in Psychology July 15, 2022
- The effects of telehealth-delivered mindfulness meditation, cognitive therapy, and behavioral activation for chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. BMC Medicine April 12, 2024
- Enhancing Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Management: A Systematic Review of Mindfulness Therapies and Guided Imagery Interventions. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) April 23, 2024
- Effects of hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and education for chronic pain on substance use in veterans: A supplementary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Rehabilitation psychology August 1, 2023
and 4 more in the library
Cites 8
- A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Mindfulness Meditation, Cognitive Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain Pain Medicine November 1, 2019
- Does mindfulness meditation improve chronic pain? A systematic review Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology December 1, 2017
- Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Annals of Behavioral Medicine September 22, 2016
- Effects of mindfulness meditation on chronic pain: a randomized controlled trial. Pain Medicine April 2015
- Meditative analgesia: the current state of the field. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2014
and 3 more in the library