Meditation: A Promising Approach for Alleviating Chronic Pain.
Akshay Dubey, Parikshit A Muley
Cureus November 22, 2023 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49244 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Meditation Mindfulness meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Pain management pain Reduction Discomfort relief Persistent pain treatment Long-term pain alleviation Meditation meditation Focused awareness Mental exercise Spiritual practice Chronic pain chronic Persistent discomfort Ongoing pain Chronic suffering Alternative therapy non-pharmacological Complementary therapy Holistic approach Natural remedy Well-being Life improvement Health Wellness |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Meditation, particularly mindfulness, reduces pain intensity and improves quality of life in people with chronic pain. |
Abstract
Chronic pain is a complex and pervasive health issue that significantly impacts the lives of millions. Various cultures have been practicing meditation for thousands of years, and it has been shown that it has many positive effects on mental and physical health. The impact of meditation on chronic pain is encouraging as it will form the base for future advancements. Meditation can improve the body's natural pain-relieving processes, lower stress levels, and boost body awareness. Patients can select from a variety of meditation techniques and include them in their treatment plans in a way that suits them best. Although it may not be a permanent solution, meditation can give patients a useful tool for managing their pain. In both clinical and experimental contexts, mindfulness meditation has been shown to lessen pain dramatically. Meditation may be used to manage chronic pain, which has several benefits, including pain alleviation, stress reduction, improved sleep, and general health. The research study provides insights into various kinds of meditation practices as well as the scientific basis of the mechanisms that are mentioned in the literature for the management of pain. Meditation practices have been scientifically shown in numerous randomized controlled studies to reduce pain intensity, enhance pain tolerance, and improve quality of life in those with chronic pain. Although more research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the practice, the encouraging evidence is currently available.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 26
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Four-Year Follow-Up of a Meditation-Based Program for the Self-Regulation of Chronic Pain Clinical Journal of Pain 1986
- Mindfulness meditation–based pain relief: a mechanistic account Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences June 1, 2016
- Mindfulness-Based and Mindfulness-Informed Interventions at the Workplace: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis of RCTs. Mindfulness May 11, 2023
and 21 more in the library