Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for headache pain: An evaluation of the long-term maintenance of effects.
Melissa A Day, Beverly E Thorn
Complementary Therapies in Medicine August 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.009 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | Individuals with headache pain who completed an 8-week MBCT program and a 6-month follow-up at a headache clinic or university psychology clinic |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention with 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Headache Long-term efficacy Maintenance of gains Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Key findings | Pre- to post-treatment gains in pain intensity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, activity engagement, and self-efficacy were significant and maintained at 6 months, with mostly consistent effect sizes (.62≤ds≤-1.40). Improvements in mindfulness and pain willingness were non-significant at both time points, with small effects. The authors argue these results support the durability of MBCT for painful conditions. |
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the durability of gain patterns following an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program. A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants (N=19) were individuals with headache pain who completed both the MBCT program as well as a 6-month follow-up assessment at a headache clinic or a university psychology clinic. Standardized measures of the primary outcomes (pain intensity and pain interference) and secondary outcomes (pain catastrophizing, mindfulness, activity engagement, pain willingness, and self-efficacy) were administered. Paired-samples t tests and effect sizes were examined. Significant (uncorrected ps<.05) pre- to post-treatment gains were found for pain intensity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, activity engagement and self-efficacy, and these gains were maintained at 6-months post-treatment. Effect sizes for the significant changes from pre- to post-treatment, and from pre-treatment to follow-up were mostly consistent across epochs (.62≤ds≤-1.40), indicating steady maintenance of effects. Improvement in mindfulness and pain willingness was non-significant immediately post-treatment and at follow-up, with small effects observed. This study adds to a growing body of literature supporting the durability of MBCT for painful conditions. Results indicated a consistent pattern of maintenance of treatment-related gains across a number of key pain-related outcomes. Future research with a larger sample is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these continued gains in order to optimize targeted relapse-prevention.
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 6
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for perceived stress and psychosomatic symptoms in Chinese adolescent girls: a mixed-methods school-based study of parent and teacher perceptions. BMC Psychology October 14, 2025
- Pain acceptance as a change mechanism for mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for migraine. Journal of Behavioral Medicine June 1, 2024
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Pain Catastrophizing and Job Satisfaction of Employees with Migraine Headaches Avicenna Journal of Neuro Psycho Physiology November 19, 2022
- Efficacy of mindfulness-based intervention for the treatment of chronic headaches: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Medicine and Surgery June 2022
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Multicenter Study International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health June 29, 2021
and 1 more in the library
Cites 7
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- An Empirical Examination of the Role of Common Factors of Therapy During a Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Intervention for Headache Pain. Clinical Journal of Pain May 2016
- The mediating role of pain acceptance during mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for headache. Complementary Therapies in Medicine April 2016
- Meditation for migraines: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain October 2014
and 2 more in the library