Effectiveness of jyoti meditation for patients with chronic neck pain and psychological distress--a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Michael Jeitler, Stefan Brunnhuber, Larissa Meier, Rainer Lüdtke, Arndt Büssing, Christian S Kessler, Andreas Michalsen
Journal of Pain January 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2014.10.009 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 89 |
| Population | Adults with chronic neck pain (mean duration 11 years) scoring above 40 mm on a 100-mm visual analog scale with concomitant increased perceived stress; mean age 49.7 years, 73 female |
| Interventions | Jyoti meditation home-based exercise program |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, outcomes assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks |
| Measures | visual analog scale (VAS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Chronic neck pain Randomized controlled trial Stress reduction |
| Key findings | Jyoti meditation significantly reduced pain at rest compared with home-based exercise after 8 weeks (mean difference 13.2 mm on a 100-mm visual analog scale, 95% CI 2.1 to 24.4), and pain-related bothersomeness decreased more in the meditation group (group difference 11.0 mm, 95% CI 1.0 to 21.0). No significant treatment effects were found for pain at motion, psychological scores, or quality of life. The authors conclude meditation may support chronic pain patients in pain reduction and coping. |
Abstract
Chronic neck pain is a common medical complaint partly mediated by psychosocial distress and having a high socioeconomic impact. There is preliminary evidence that stress reduction by meditation might be beneficial in chronic pain syndromes. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week meditation program (jyoti meditation) in patients with chronic neck pain by means of a randomized clinical trial. Eighty-nine patients (aged 49.7 ± 10.5 years, 73 female) with chronic neck pain who scored >40 mm on a 100-mm visual analog scale and had concomitant increased perceived stress were randomized to an 8-week meditation program (jyoti meditation) with weekly 90-minute classes (n = 45) or to a home-based exercise program (n = 44) with a wait list offer for meditation. Both groups were instructed to practice at home. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Primary outcome measure was change of mean pain at rest (visual analog scale score) from baseline to week 8. Secondary outcomes included pain at motion, functional disability, pain-related bothersomeness, perceived stress, quality of life, and psychological outcomes. Patients had neck pain for a mean of 11 years. Eighteen patients in the meditation group and 16 patients in the exercise group were lost to follow-up. Meditation training significantly reduced pain when compared to the exercise group after 8 weeks (reduction of 45.5 ± 23.3 mm to 21.6 ± 17.2 mm in the meditation group, and 43.8 ± 22.0 mm to 37.7 ± 21.5 mm in the exercise group; mean difference: 13.2 mm [95% confidence interval: 2.1, 24.4; P = .02]). Pain-related bothersomeness decreased more in the meditation group (group difference 11.0 mm [95% confidence interval: 1.0, 21.0; P = .03]). No significant treatment effects were found for pain at motion, psychological scores, and quality of life, although the meditation group showed nonsignificant greater improvements compared to the exercise group. In conclusion, meditation may support chronic pain patients in pain reduction and pain coping. Further well-designed studies including more active control comparisons and longer-term follow-up are warranted. This article presents the results of a randomized controlled trial on the clinical effects of an 8-week meditation program or self-care exercise in patients with chronic neck pain. Meditation reduced pain at rest but not disability and might be a useful treatment option for pain management of chronic neck pain.
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 9
- 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 Anapana, Body scan and Metta meditation techniques on chronic neck and shoulder region pain and disability in adult patients in Sri Lanka: study protocol for a cluster clinic-level randomised controlled trial Trials November 15, 2022
- Effectiveness of Anapana, Body scan and Metta meditation techniques on chronic neck and shoulder region pain and disability in adult patients in Sri Lanka.: study protocol for a cluster clinic-level parallel randomised controlled trial Research Square May 25, 2022
- Effectiveness of Mantra-Based Meditation on Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health March 13, 2022
and 4 more in the library
Cites 18
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin May 14, 2012
- 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
and 13 more in the library