Mindfulness Based Functional Therapy: A preliminary open trial of an integrated model of care for people with persistent low back pain.
Robert eSchutze, Helen eSlater, Peter eO'Sullivan, Jennifer eThornton, Amy eFinlay-Jones, Clare Samantha Rees
Frontiers in Psychology September 16, 2014 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00839 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot single-group repeated measures study Randomized Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | Community sample of adults with persistent low back pain, mean age 47 years, 75% female, mean LBP duration 8 years |
| Interventions | Mindfulness Based Functional Therapy (MBFT) mindfulness meditation training cognitive-functional physiotherapeutic movement retraining pain education group support |
| Duration | 8-week group intervention with 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Catastrophization Low back pain Mindfulness practice |
| Key points | The authors report that MBFT was feasible to deliver in primary care, with high adherence and 85% of participants highly satisfied. Effect size and clinical significance analyses suggested improvements in pain catastrophizing, physical functioning, role limitations due to physical condition, and depression, but the authors caution these may have occurred due to non-intervention effects. They conclude a randomized controlled trial is warranted. |
Abstract
Objectives: This pilot study investigated the feasibility and clinical utility of implementing a novel, evidence-informed, interdisciplinary group intervention – Mindfulness Based Functional Therapy (MBFT) – for the management of persistent low back pain (LBP) in primary care. MBFT aimed to improve physical and psychological functioning in patients with persistent LBP.
Design: A single-group repeated measures design was utilized to gather data about feasibility, effect sizes, clinically significant changes and patient satisfaction.Setting: A community sample of 16 adults (75% female), mean (SD) age 47.00 (9.12) years (range 26-65 years), with mean (SD) LBP duration of 8.00 (9.00) years participated, using a simulated primary care setting at Curtin University in Australia.Intervention: MBFT is an 8-week group intervention co-facilitated by psychology and physiotherapy disciplines. Content includes: mindfulness meditation training, cognitive-functional physiotherapeutic movement retraining, pain education, and group support.Main outcome measures: Several validated self-report measures were used to assess functional disability, emotional functioning, mindfulness, pain catastrophizing, health-related quality of life at baseline, post-intervention, and 6 months follow-up.Results: Adherence and satisfaction was high, with 85% of participants highly satisfied with MBFT. Clinical significance analysis and effect size estimates showed improvements in a number of variables, including pain catastrophizing, physical functioning, role limitations due to physical condition, and depression, although these may have occurred due to non-intervention effects.
Conclusions: MBFT is feasible to implement in primary care. Preliminary findings suggest that a randomized controlled trial is warranted to investigate its efficacy in improving physical and emotional functioning in people with disabling persistent LBP.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- 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
- The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine June 25, 2018
- Mandela Yoga: a community case study for a post-incarceration reentry service for men of color in recovery. Frontiers in Public Health 2025
- A Narrative Review of Telomere Length Modulation Through Diverse Yoga and Meditation Styles: Current Insights and Prospective Avenues. Cureus September 28, 2023
- Mindfulness Meditation-Based Intervention Is Feasible, Acceptable, and Safe for Chronic Low Back Pain Requiring Long-Term Daily Opioid Therapy. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine June 7, 2016
and 2 more in the library
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- Comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and multidisciplinary intervention programs for chronic pain: a randomized comparative trial. Clinical Journal of Pain October 2011
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