Effectiveness of focused meditation for patients with chronic low back pain-A randomized controlled clinical trial.
Andreas Michalsen, Natalie Kunz, Michael Jeitler, Stefan Brunnhuber, Larissa Meier, Rainer Lüdtke, Arndt Büssing, Christian S Kessler
Complementary Therapies in Medicine June 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized clinical trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 68 |
| Population | Patients with chronic low back pain scoring >40mm on a 100mm Visual Analogue Scale, average age 55 years, 75% female |
| Interventions | Focused meditation self-care exercise |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, outcomes assessed at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks |
| Measures | 100mm Visual-Analogue-Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Distress Exercise Low back pain Randomized trial |
| Key findings | Focused meditation and self-care exercise produced comparable improvements in pain at rest after 8 weeks, with no significant between-group difference (-1.4mm, 95% CI: -11.6 to 8.8). Perceived stress decreased significantly more with meditation (p=0.011), but no other secondary outcomes differed significantly, though the meditation group consistently showed non-significant greater improvements. |
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week meditation program (focused meditation) in patients with chronic low-back pain. A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 68 patients (55 years;75% female) with chronic low-back pain who scored >40mm on a 100mm Visual-Analogue-Scale. Subjects were allocated to an 8-week meditation program (focused meditation) with weekly 75min classes or to a self-care exercise program with a wait-list offer for meditation. Both groups were instructed to practice at home. Outcomes were assessed baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change in mean back pain at rest after 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes included function, pain-related bothersomeness, perceived stress, quality-of-life (QOL), and psychological outcomes. Twelve (meditation) and 4 (exercise) patients were lost to follow-up. The primary outcome, pain at rest after 8 weeks, was reduced from 59.3±13.9mm to 40.8±21.8mm with meditation vs. 52.9±11.8mm to 37.3±18.2mm with exercise (adjusted group difference: -1.4 (95%CI:11.6;8.8;p=n.s.) Perceived stress was significantly more reduced with meditation (p=0.011). No significant treatment effects were found for other secondary outcomes as pain-related bothersomeness, function, quality-of-life and psychological scores, although the meditation group consistently showed non-significant better improvements compared to the exercise group. Focused meditation and self-care exercise lead to comparable, symptomatic improvements in patients with chronic low back pain. Future studies should include longer-term follow-ups and develop guided meditation programs to support compliance.
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 12
- Mindfulness-based Interventions for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clinical Journal of Pain February 1, 2024
- Do scientists still believe in mindfulness meditation for pain therapy? a bibliometric analysis regarding meditation trends for therapy from 1946 To 2022 Bali Medical Journal May 10, 2023
- Doing what matters in times of stress: No-nonsense meditation and occupational well-being in COVID-19. PLoS One 2023
- Effectiveness of mindfulness meditation on the quality of life, pain intensity, mobility and physical function in adults with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis Discover Psychology December 5, 2025
- Effects of meditation on pain intensity, physical function, quality of life and depression in adults with low back pain - A systematic review with meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine March 1, 2023
and 7 more in the library
Cites 14
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Mindfulness meditation for the treatment of chronic low back pain in older adults: A randomized controlled pilot study ☆ Pain June 4, 2007
- Four-Year Follow-Up of a Meditation-Based Program for the Self-Regulation of Chronic Pain Clinical Journal of Pain 1986
- Neuromodulatory treatments for chronic pain: efficacy and mechanisms. Nature Reviews Neurology March 2014
and 9 more in the library