Integrated meditation and exercise therapy: A randomized controlled trial of a combined non-pharmacological intervention reduces disability and pain in patients with chronic low back pain
Anna M. Polaski, Amy L. Phelps, Thomas J. Smith, Eric R. Helm, Natalia E. Morone, Kimberly A. Szucs, Matthew C. Kostek, Benedict J. Kolber
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 38 |
| Population | Adults with chronic low back pain |
| Interventions | Mindfulness meditation Aerobic walking exercise |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MedExT significantly improved disability, mindfulness, and pain intensity and unpleasantness in chronic low back pain patients compared to an audiobook control. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Integrative and complementary non-pharmacological treatments have proven efficacious in treating both the physiological and psychological symptoms of chronic pain conditions but the potential of many combined therapies is unknown. This study examined the effects of a combined intervention of mindfulness meditation followed by aerobic walking exercise in chronic low back pain (cLBP) patients. We hypothesized that meditation before exercise would reduce disability and pain by increasing mindfulness prior to physical activity. Thirty-eight adults completed either meditation and exercise treatment (MedExT) (n=18) or an audiobook control condition (n=20). Over a 4-week period, participants in the MedExT group performed 12-17 minutes of guided meditation followed by 30 minutes of moderate intensity walking exercise 5 days per week. Measures of disability, pain, mindfulness and anxiety were taken at baseline and post-intervention. Ratings of pain were also assessed by participant self-report, before and after each intervention session. Following MedExT, participants showed significant improvement in our primary outcome of disability compared to the control group (p<0.05). From pre to post-intervention, MedExT also increased mindfulness (p<0.05), but had no significant effect on quantitative sensory testing on the low back. Mean ratings of low back pain intensity and unpleasantness significantly improved with MedExT from before the study to during participation, respectively (intensity p<0.05; unpleasantness p<0.05). Overall, four weeks of MedExT produced substantive changes in disability, mindfulness and measures of pain intensity and unpleasantness.
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
Cites 15
- Effects of mindful-attention and compassion meditation training on amygdala response to emotional stimuli in an ordinary, non-meditative state Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Mindfulness starts with the body: somatosensory attention and top-down modulation of cortical alpha rhythms in mindfulness meditation Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2013
- Mindfulness meditation–based pain relief: a mechanistic account Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences June 1, 2016
- Mindfulness Meditation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention Reduces Pain Severity and Sensitivity in Opioid-Treated Chronic Low Back Pain: Pilot Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial Pain Medicine March 10, 2016
- Self-reported mindfulness and cortisol during a Shamatha meditation retreat. Health Psychology October 1, 2013
and 10 more in the library