Mindfulness-based pain management for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a randomized controlled trial
Holger Cramer, Sanja Krstić, Marleen Schröter, Alina Schleinzer, Hazal Sarak Kucukosmanoglu, Rahele Tavakoly, Petra Meibert, Jörg Meibert, Dennis Anheyer, Heidemarie Haller
Frontiers in Medicine September 28, 2026 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1911807 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 40 |
| Population | Adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain |
| Intervention | usual care |
| Duration | 8-week intervention; follow-up at weeks 8 and 26 |
| Measures | Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT05199805 |
| Key findings | The MBPM program did not significantly improve pain acceptance at week 8 compared with a waiting-list control (mean difference 7.9, 95% CI -0.4 to 16.3, p = 0.063). Between-group comparisons favored MBPM for self-compassion at week 8 and mindful awareness at week 26, but the authors state these exploratory findings require confirmation. |
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic pain is a significant global public health challenge. There is substantial evidence supporting the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions for chronic pain. Mindfulness-Based Pain Management (MBPM) is an 8-week mindfulness-based behavioral intervention program designed to help individuals manage chronic pain. However, the available evidence regarding the effects of the MBPM program in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain is limited. Materials and methods Adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain were randomly assigned to either the MBPM program group or the waiting-list control group. The MBPM program group received 150 min sessions once a week for eight weeks in addition to usual care. The waiting-list control group only received usual care. The primary outcome was pain acceptance, measured using the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) at week 8. Secondary outcomes included pain acceptance at week 26, as well as pain intensity, pain-related disability, health-related quality of life, psychological well-being, pain self-efficacy, mindfulness, self-compassion, and adverse events at weeks 8 and 26.
Results: Forty participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the MBPM program group ( n = 20) or the waiting-list control group ( n = 20). For the primary outcome, the MBPM program group had a more favorable CPAQ total score at week 8 than the control group (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.4 to 16.3; mean difference (MD) = 7.9; p = 0.063). However, this difference was not statistically significant. Among the secondary outcomes, the MBPM program group had higher self-compassion scores at week 8 (MD = 0.3; 95%-CI: 0.0 to 0.6; p = 0.035), and higher mindful awareness score at week 26 (MD = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.66; p = 0.028) than the control group. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were observed for the other secondary outcomes. No intervention-related adverse events were reported.
Conclusion: In this randomized controlled trial, the MBPM program did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect on pain acceptance compared with the waiting-list control. Nevertheless, between-group comparisons favored MBPM for self-compassion at week 8, and mindful awareness at week 26. However, these findings require confirmation and should be interpreted exploratory. Larger and methodologically rigorous trials with longer follow-up periods are warranted to further evaluate the effectiveness of MBPM for individuals with chronic pain. Clinical
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05199805.
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 16
- What defines mindfulness-based programs? The warp and the weft Psychological Medicine December 29, 2016
- Evaluation of the breathworks mindfulness‐based pain management programme: effects on well‐being and multiple measures of mindfulness Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy November 13, 2009
- Which type and dosage of mindfulness-based interventions are most effective for chronic pain? A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research April 1, 2025
- Oxytocin Modulation in Mindfulness-Based Pain Management for Chronic Pain. Life February 15, 2024
- Evaluation of mindfulness-based interventions for pain, anxiety, and depression in spinal cord injury patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical neurology and neurosurgery April 1, 2025
and 11 more in the library