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Mindfulness-Based Group Therapy for Chronic Pain Management in Older Adults.

Mariko Foulk, Marcos Montagnini, James Fitzgerald, Berit Ingersoll-Dayton

Clinical Gerontologist June 28, 2023 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2023.2229307 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Non-randomized control-group pretest-posttest quality improvement study Qualitative Peer reviewed
Sample size 13
Population Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and older with chronic pain
Duration 8-week program of eight 150-minute weekly sessions
Topics Meditation
Keywords Chronic pain Group therapy Older adults
Key points Participants in an 8-week geriatric mindfulness-based chronic pain group showed statistically significant improvements in activity level, "pain willingness," and generalized anxiety symptoms. The authors describe the program as a practical, feasible, and acceptable approach for pain management among older adults, with promising pilot outcomes.

Abstract

There were two quality improvement goals for this project: (1) to evaluate the outcomes of an 8-week geriatric-focused mindfulness-based group therapy program for chronic pain management called "Mindfulness-based Chronic Pain Care" offered at a senior community center affiliated with a geriatric primary care clinic, and (2) to obtain feedback from participants to make relevant modifications for future groups. The program consisted of eight 150-minute weekly sessions. Thirteen community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and older participated in the program. The study utilized a non-randomized control-group pretest-posttest design. Participants completed pre- and post-program evaluations measuring pain and related psychosocial outcomes and were also asked to evaluate the importance of the group. Intervention and control groups were compared by t-test, chi-square likelihood ratio, Fischer's exact test, and multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures. There were statistically significant improvements in three areas: 1) increased activity level, 2) increased "pain willingness," and 3) decreased generalized anxiety symptoms. Qualitative analysis highlighted how this intervention was important to participants. The results of this pilot program indicate promising outcomes for older adults suffering from chronic pain. The Mindfulness-based Chronic Pain Care program was a practical, feasible, and acceptable approach for pain management among program participants.

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients 2003 Pre-post intervention study n = 59
Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample 2010 Pre-post intervention study
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students 2003 Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study n = 302
Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls 2011 Controlled trial with wait-list control group n = 60
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents 2011 Within-group waitlist controlled trial n = 22

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