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Immediate Effects of a Brief 10-Minute Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Body Scan for Central Sensitization: A Case Series

Adriaan Louw, Jessica McConahay, Debra Rico, Jessica Podolak, Hailey Louw

Journal of Yoga and Physiotherapy May 10, 2023 DOI: 10.19080/jyp.2023.10.555789 (opens in new tab)

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Characteristics Case series Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 16
Population People with central sensitization, including patients with low back pain and neck pain
Intervention Body scan meditation
Dose 10-minute body scan meditation
Measures self-reported pain rating, pain pressure threshold, body pain diagram, global rate of change
Topics Meditation
Key findings A 10-minute body scan meditation reduced self-reported pain by 0.9 points and body pain diagram scores by 46.9 percent, while changes in pain pressure threshold and global rate of change were not statistically significant. Patients with low back pain responded more favorably than those with neck pain, and improvements correlated with the extent of pain on body pain diagrams.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic pain is often challenging to treat due to changes associated with central sensitization.Mindfulness practices have been shown to impact pain through a non-judgmental appraisal of physical sensations.This case series aimed to determine if a 10-minute body scan meditation would positively impact a person who suffers from central sensitization. Materials and Methods:Sixteen participants were guided through a 10-minute body scan meditation.Pre-and post-treatment measures included self-reported pain rating, pain pressure threshold, and a body pain diagram.The global rate of change was also assessed following treatment.Results: Overall, self-reported pain was reduced by 0.9 points (p=0.001).Body pain diagrams reduced 46.9% after mindfulness-based stress reduction.Changes in pain pressure threshold and the global rate of change improved but were not statistically significant.Overall, patients with low back pain responded far more favorably than patients with neck pain.Positive correlations were found with improvements in self-reported pain rating, pain pressure threshold, and the global rate of change related to the extent of pain on the body pain diagram.Conclusion: A brief body scan meditation is able to positively influence body pain diagrams, which are correlated to a pain experience.The brief body scan meditation had a larger influence on patients with low back pain than neck pain.More research is needed to explore how a non-tactile, non-threatening treatment can alter pain experiences including sensitivity of the nervous system.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Brain sources of EEG gamma frequency during volitionally meditation-induced, altered states of consciousness, and experience of the self Advanced meditator 2001 Case study n = 1
Mindfulness Meditation for Alcohol Relapse Prevention: A Feasibility Pilot Study Adult alcohol-dependent graduates of an intensive outpatient program 2008 Prospective case series n = 19
How does it feel to lack a sense of boundaries? A case study of a long-term mindfulness meditator. A single long-term mindfulness practitioner (S) with 40 years of practice in... 2015 Qualitative case study n = 1
Loving‐kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia Individuals suffering from schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with persistent negative... 2009 Case study
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Problem Gambling A female problem gambler 2011 Case study n = 1

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