Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Multicenter Study

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic pain in Spain is 15%. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on patients with chronic pain. A quasi-experimental design of repeated measures pre- and post-test (N = 57) was carried out at three hospitals from the province of Alicante. Self-reported assessment measurements of pain intensity, anxiety-depression symptoms, perception of health status, interference of pain on sleep, self-efficacy in pain, acceptance, and mindfulness attitude were included. The T-test indicates significant differences in intensity of present pain, mental quality of life, and depression (medium effect sizes), as well as in self-efficacy: total score, symptom management and pain control (medium effect sizes), sleep disturbances and quantity of sleep (large effect sizes). MBCT is effective in reducing many symptoms in patients with chronic pain, although its maintenance needs to be further investigated.

Mindfulness for people with chronic pain: Factors affecting engagement and suggestions for programme optimisation

“… 17 Pre–post data in general chronic pain populations show some indication of benefit. 18 , 19 Another approach combining ACT and mindfulness 20 is currently at an early phase. The latter two approaches are based on theoretical models of pain.…”

“…Models for adapting mindfulness programmes for people with chronic pain include the Mindfulness for Health programme, 16 and mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for chronic pain (MBCT‐CP) combining the 8‐week mindfulness programme (based on MBSR) with CBT for pain 17 . Pre–post data in general chronic pain populations show some indication of benefit 18,19 . Another approach combining ACT and mindfulness 20 is currently at an early phase.…”

Psychological Therapy in Chronic Pain: Differential Efficacy between Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

“…In parallel, treatments for chronic pain based on Mindfulness have also been developed, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) [7] and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain (MBCT-CP) [8]. A recent transdiagnostic study [9] and several meta-analyses [10][11][12] have indicated that although MBCT-CT is superior to CBT, in general, it has a similar efficacy in variables related to pain intensity and interference, as well as psychological variables, in all diagnostic groups (fibromyalgia, low back pain, unspecified chronic pain and headache) [10][11][12]. However, studies on the subject are scarce and highly heterogeneous concerning the variables studied, the types of samples, and the measurement instruments used.…”