Effects of an acute Mindfulness-based intervention on exercise tolerance, maximal strength, pain and effort-related experiences in individuals with primary chronic low back pain: a pilot study
Louise Amiot, Catherine Daneau, Bastien Couëpel, Martin Descarreaux, Marjorie Bernier, Jean F Fournier, Alexis Ruffault, Anne Courbalay
Movement & Sport Sciences - Science & Motricité 2023 DOI: 10.1051/sm/2023006 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individuals with primary chronic low back pain |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based intervention |
| Measures | MVC, modified Sorensen test, numerical rating scales for pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, perceived effort, and use of coping strategies, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, trait anxiety, dispositional mindfulness, impulsivity |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The control group significantly decreased maximal voluntary contraction across time and showed a trend toward decreased exercise tolerance, whereas the mindfulness group did not. Pain unpleasantness and effort were perceived higher during the second modified Sorensen test in both groups, with no significant time or group effects on pain intensity or coping-strategy use. |
Abstract
Introduction:This study investigated the effects of an acute mindfulness-based intervention on exercise tolerance, maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), pain and effort-related experiences in individuals with primary chronic low back pain.Method:Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Before and after the intervention, participants completed a MVC test, a modified Sorensen test and numerical rating scales about pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, perceived effort and use of coping strategies. Dispositional measures such as pain catastrophizing, trait anxiety, dispositional mindfulness and impulsivity were also assessed.T-tests and linear mixed models were performed.Results:Participants from the control group significantly decreased their MVC across time and showed a trend towards a decrease in exercise tolerance over time, which was not the case for the experimental group. For both groups, pain unpleasantness and effort were perceived higher during the second modified Sorensen test. Analyses revealed neither significant effect of time nor group on pain intensity and the use of coping strategies.Discussion:The results highlight the value of involving individuals with primary chronic pain in mindfulness-based interventions to improve adaptations to effort while targeting referred pain. Larger samples and controlling for individuals’ functional status appear necessary for further research.
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
Cites 9
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness and Affective Responses to Treadmill Walking in Individuals with Low Intrinsic Motivation to Exercise International journal of exercise science 2018
- Cognitive Defusion Is a Core Cognitive Mechanism for the Sensory-Affective Uncoupling of Pain During Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine March 31, 2021
- The Effect of a Brief-Mindfulness Intervention on Psychophysiological Exertion and Flow-State Among Sedentary Adults. Perceptual and Motor Skills June 1, 2021
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention on physical function in individuals with chronic low back pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice November 2022
and 4 more in the library