Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Multicenter Study
E. M. Pardos-Gascón, Lucas Narambuena, César Leal-Costa, A. J. Ramos-Morcillo, M. Ruzafa-Martínez, Carlos J. van-Der Hofstadt-Román
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health June 29, 2021 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18136951 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental pre-post repeated measures Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 57 |
| Population | Patients with chronic pain from three hospitals in Alicante, Spain |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBCT produced significant improvements with medium to large effect sizes in pain intensity, depression, mental quality of life, self-efficacy, and sleep disturbances in chronic pain patients. |
Abstract
The prevalence of chronic pain in Spain is 15%. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on patients with chronic pain. A quasi-experimental design of repeated measures pre- and post-test (N = 57) was carried out at three hospitals from the province of Alicante. Self-reported assessment measurements of pain intensity, anxiety-depression symptoms, perception of health status, interference of pain on sleep, self-efficacy in pain, acceptance, and mindfulness attitude were included. The T-test indicates significant differences in intensity of present pain, mental quality of life, and depression (medium effect sizes), as well as in self-efficacy: total score, symptom management and pain control (medium effect sizes), sleep disturbances and quantity of sleep (large effect sizes). MBCT is effective in reducing many symptoms in patients with chronic pain, although its maintenance needs to be further investigated.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Development and implementation of mindfulness-based psychological intervention program on premenstrual dysphoric symptoms and quality of life among late adolescents: A pilot study Journal of Affective Disorders Reports December 17, 2022
- Online mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as an adjuvant-treatment for Chinese patients with psoriasis: A randomized controlled trial JAAD International February 20, 2026
- Internet-delivered mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (iMBCT) for chronic pain symptom management in adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pain July 1, 2025
- Mindfulness na terapia cognitiva: benefícios na redução da dor crônica - uma revisão sistemática STUDIES IN HEALTH SCIENCES August 4, 2025
- Mindfulness for people with chronic pain: Factors affecting engagement and suggestions for programme optimisation Health Expectations March 12, 2023
and 1 more in the library
Cites 18
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica April 28, 2011
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Zen Meditation for Depression, Anxiety, Pain, and Psychological Distress Journal of Psychiatric Practice July 1, 2012
- Differential efficacy between cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies for chronic pain: Systematic review International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology October 23, 2020
- 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
and 13 more in the library