Qualitative findings from a randomized trial of mindfulness-based and cognitive-behavioral group therapy for opioid-treated chronic low back pain
David Horton, David K. Woods, Eric L Garland, Robert R Edwards, Bruce P. Barrett, Aleksandra Zgierska
Journal of Health Psychology April 28, 2024 DOI: 10.1177/13591053241247710 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study nested within a randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 108 |
| Population | Individuals with chronic low back pain who had participated in a randomized controlled trial of group therapy |
| Interventions | Cognitive-behavioral group therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) Mindfulness-based group therapy (MBT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention; qualitative interviews approximately 10 months post-treatment |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Most participants (88 of 108, 81.5%) across both the cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based groups reflected positively on the treatment and its outcomes, reporting benefits in pain management (31.5%), meditation and mindfulness skills (25.9%), and relaxation skills (22.2%). The authors report that perceived benefits varied widely and suggest no single intervention may be ideal for chronic low back pain, proposing that future research examine tailoring interventions to diverse clinical presentations. |
Abstract
This article reports qualitative outcomes from a randomized controlled trial comparing eight weeks of cognitive-behavioral group therapy for chronic pain (CBT-CP) and mindfulness-based group therapy (MBT) in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Approximately 10 months post-treatment, 108 participants completed structured qualitative interviews to express how the study treatment affected their life or health. Responses were qualitatively analyzed to generate a set of themes and subthemes, with between-groups comparisons to evaluate differences (if any) in treatment-response between MBT and CBT-CP. A majority of participants (n = 88, 81.5%) across both groups reflected positively on the study intervention and outcomes, identifying benefits in pain management (31.5%), meditation and mindfulness skills (25.9%), and relaxation skills (22.2%). Perceived benefits varied widely, suggesting no one intervention may be ideal for CLBP. Future research should examine tailoring interventions to target diverse clinical presentations to achieve optimal outcomes.