The effects of mindfulness training on persistent or intermittent sub-acute pain: using the Headspace^®application

Abstract

Background Physiotherapists have recognized the benefits of incorporating psychological interventions in their treatments. This study sought to determine the usefulness of the Headspace® Application that provides mindfulness training via a smartphone on pain. Methods A quasi-experimental design was used and volunteers from a large metropolitan university who were coping with pain were encouraged to use the application for 6-weeks. Pain (severity and interference), selfreported mindfulness, usage of the application and participants perspectives of the application were examined. Results There was a significant reduction in pain severity (p = 0.01, r = 0.70) and pain interference (p = 0.00, r= 0.81) pre-post intervention. However there was no significant change in self-reported mindfulness pre-post intervention (p = 0.67, r = 0.09). The usage of the application during the intervention period varied significantly (10-674 minutes) and was not significantly correlated with pain severity (two tailed)-pre (p=0.65,r=0.10) , post (p=0.43 r= 0.17) or pain interference (two tailed) pre (p =0.75 r = 0.07) , post (p=0.32 r=0.20). The participants reported positive perceptions of the application, such as it being useful in reducing pain and its convenience. Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that the Headspace® application is beneficial in reducing Persistent or Intermittent sub-acute pain and the application could be a useful adjunct to physiotherapy interventions.

Randomized, wait-list–controlled pilot study of app-delivered mindfulness for patients reporting chronic pain

“…This is consistent with a recent study that examined the impact of mindfulness delivered by the same app for patients with chronic pain, which also found that self-reported changes were not related to app usage. 46 A recent meta-analysis found that the efficacy of MBIs for patients with chronic pain did not differ by length or frequency of intervention or by type of MBI. 19 It may be that app-delivered practice time is less predictive of outcomes than is practice for inperson or group mindfulness interventions.…”