The relationship between mindfulness, pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, depression, and quality of life among cancer survivors living with chronic neuropathic pain.
Patricia A Poulin, Heather Romanow, Noriyeh Rahbari, Rebecca Small, Catherine E Smyth, Taylor Hatchard, Brahm K Solomon, Xinni Song, Cheryl A Harris, John Kowal, Howard J Nathan, Keith G Wilson
Supportive Care in Cancer October 2016 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-016-3243-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 76 |
| Population | Cancer survivors with chronic neuropathic pain, at least 1 year post-treatment, no evidence of cancer, neuropathic pain symptoms for more than three months; 24% men and 76% women, average age 56.5 years (SD = 9.4) |
| Measures | Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, pain interference, depression, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Cancer Chronic neuropathic pain Disability Quality of life |
| Key findings | Mindfulness was negatively correlated with pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, pain interference, and depression, and positively correlated with mental health-related quality of life. Regression analyses showed mindfulness predicted lower pain intensity and depression and better mental health-related quality of life after controlling for pain catastrophizing, age, and gender. The authors argue mindfulness may mitigate the impact of pain in cancer survivors with chronic neuropathic pain. |
Abstract
This study aims to examine if mindfulness is associated with pain catastrophizing, depression, disability, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cancer survivors with chronic neuropathic pain (CNP). We conducted a cross-sectional survey with cancer survivors experiencing CNP. Participants (n = 76) were men (24 %) and women (76 %) with an average age of 56.5 years (SD = 9.4). Participants were at least 1 year post-treatment, with no evidence of cancer, and with symptoms of neuropathic pain for more than three months. Participants completed the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), along with measures of pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, pain interference, depression, and HRQOL. Mindfulness was negatively correlated with pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, pain interference, and depression, and it was positively correlated with mental health-related HRQOL. Regression analyses demonstrated that mindfulness was a negative predictor of pain intensity and depression and a positive predictor of mental HRQOL after controlling for pain catastrophizing, age, and gender. The two mindfulness facets that were most consistently associated with better outcomes were non-judging and acting with awareness. Mindfulness significantly moderated the relationships between pain intensity and pain catastrophizing and between pain intensity and pain interference. It appears that mindfulness mitigates the impact of pain experiences in cancer survivors experiencing CNP post-treatment. This study suggests that mindfulness is associated with better adjustment to CNP. This provides the foundation to explore whether mindfulness-based interventions improve quality of life among cancer survivors living with CNP.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- Trait Mindfulness and Wellness in Multiple Sclerosis Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques July 12, 2018
- Patients with Chronic Pain: Are Mindfulness Traits Protective Against Distress, Anxiety and Depression? Clinical neuropsychiatry October 1, 2023
- Could Psychedelics Treat Neuropathic Chronic Pain? Neurological Sciences and Neurosurgery 2023
- Mindfulness and Tai Chi for Sleep, Fatigue, and Pain in Distressed People After Cancer Treatment: A Partially Randomized Patient-Preference Comparative Effectiveness Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology September 16, 2026
- The moderating role of trait mindfulness on pain perception: insights from pain-related electroencephalography oscillations. PAIN Reports October 7, 2025
and 9 more in the library
Cites 9
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