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.
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
Cited by 3
- How Do Mindfulness‐Based and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies Help Adults With Opioid‐Treated Chronic Low Back Pain? A Qualitative Study Pain Practice October 9, 2026
- Piloting of Augmented Reality-Based Psychoeducation with Mindfulness Intervention for Chronic Low Back Pain Cognitive Therapy and Research May 28, 2026
- Mindfulness practice time and quality in veterans with chronic pain. Current Psychology July 22, 2025
Cites 10
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Industrial Psychiatry Journal October 29, 2024
- Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Pain: The LAMP Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Internal Medicine August 19, 2024
- Qualitative findings from a randomized trial of mindfulness-based and cognitive-behavioral group therapy for opioid-treated chronic low back pain Journal of Health Psychology April 28, 2024
- Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Veterans and Military Personnel on Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial American Journal of Psychiatry January 10, 2024
- Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Addictive Behavior, Psychiatric Distress, and Chronic Pain: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Mindfulness September 15, 2022
and 5 more in the library