Mindfulness vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain Treated With Opioids
Aleksandra Zgierska, Robert R Edwards, Bruce P. Barrett, Cindy A. Burzinski, Robert N. Jamison, Yoshio Nakamura, Mary Henningfield, Wen-Jan Tuan, Chan Shen, N. Sehgal, Robert P. Lennon, H. Dong, V. Chinchilli, Yuxin Liu, Alyssa Turnquist, Anthony Schiefelbein, Elizabeth A Jacobs, Christin Veasley, Penney Cowan, Eric L Garland
JAMA Network Open April 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.3204 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 770 |
| Population | Adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based therapy cognitive behavioral therapy |
| Duration | 6 and 12 months |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy showed no differences between groups, but both were associated with improved pain, function, and health-related quality of life and reduced opioid dosage at 6 and 12 months. The authors suggest both treatments may have potential utility for adults with refractory chronic low back pain. |
Abstract
Key Points Question What is the comparative effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) and standard-of-care cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) among adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP)? Findings In this randomized clinical trial of 770 adults with opioid-treated CLBP, although there were no differences between groups, both the MBT and CBT groups experienced improved pain, function, and health-related quality of life and reduced opioid dosage at 6 and 12 months. Meaning Results of the study suggest that both treatments have potential utility in treating adults with refractory CLBP and improving pain, function, and quality-of-life outcomes.