Mindfulness meditation alleviates depressive symptoms in women with fibromyalgia: Results of a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objective. Depressive symptoms are common among patients with fibromyalgia, and behavioral intervention has been recommended as a major treatment component for this illness. The objective of this study was to test the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention on depressive symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods. This randomized controlled trial examined effects of the 8-week MBSR intervention on depressive symptoms in 91 women with fibromyalgia who were randomly assigned to treatment (n ‫؍‬ 51) or a waiting-list control group (n ‫؍‬ 40). Eligible patients were at least 18 years old, willing to participate in a weekly group, and able to provide physician verification of a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Of 166 eligible participants who responded to local television news publicizing, 49 did not appear for a scheduled intake, 24 enrolled but did not provide baseline data, and 2 were excluded due to severe mental illness, leaving 91 participants. The sample averaged 48 years of age and had 14.7 years of education. The typical participant was white, married, and employed. Patients randomly assigned to treatment received MBSR. Eight weekly 2.5-hour sessions were led by a licensed clinical psychologist with mindfulness training. Somatic and cognitive symptoms of depression were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory administered at baseline, immediately postprogram, and at followup 2 months after the conclusion of the intervention. Results. Change in depressive symptoms was assessed using slopes analyses of intervention effects over time. Depressive symptoms improved significantly in treatment versus control participants over the 3 assessments. Conclusion. This meditation-based intervention alleviated depressive symptoms among patients with fibromyalgia.

Pain-Related Rumination, But Not Magnification or Helplessness, Mediates Race and Sex Differences in Experimental Pain

“…Indeed, these treatments have been shown to improve pain outcomes such as pain intensity, functional limitations, and psychological distress 57,65 , and they have also been found to reduce ruminative thinking associated with depression, cancer, and school-related stress 14,34,44 . Unfortunately, although mindfulness-related treatment effects have been demonstrated in women 8,38,63,68 , only a few studies have examined their effectiveness in Black individuals and none were focused on pain 16,66,82 . The current results suggest that ongoing clinical and research efforts to better understand pain-related rumination and its responsiveness to different treatments might, among other things, mitigate longstanding race and sex disparities in pain.…”

Does mindfulness improve outcomes in patients with chronic pain? Systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Of the included studies, eight were conducted in the US, 17,18,[22][23][24][26][27][28] one in Germany, 29 one in Hong Kong, 30 and one in the UK. 25 The majority of participants were female (with the exception of one study 26 ) and white (with the exception of one study 30 ).…”

A Randomized Trial of Tai Chi for Fibromyalgia

“…13,34 Our findings are also consistent with observations from other clinical trials and meta-analyses that support the benefits of physical exercise and mind-body practice for symptom management in fibromyalgia. [35][36][37][38][39][40][41] The biologic mechanisms by which tai chi might affect the clinical course of fibromyalgia remain unknown. As a complex, multicomponent intervention, tai chi may act through many intermediate variables along the pathway to improved health outcomes.…”