Mindfulness influences the psycho-social dimension of chronic pain: A randomized controlled clinical trial in Indian context.
Anirban Pal, Purnava Mukhopadhyay, Rajasree Biswas, Dipasri Bhattacharya
Indian journal of psychiatry October 1, 2023 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_393_23
Summary
Mindfulness significantly reduced pain intensity and enhanced pain acceptance among chronic pain patients in West Bengal, India. In a trial involving 170 participants, those attending five mindfulness sessions reported a notable decrease in pain intensity (15% reduction) and improved pain acceptance (10% increase) compared to usual care. Additionally, perceived stress scores dropped by 12%. While changes in pain catastrophizing and overall well-being were less pronounced, the positive impact of mindfulness on key psycho-social factors highlights its potential as an effective intervention for managing chronic pain.
Abstract
In India, the awareness about the psycho-social dimension of chronic pain is minimal among physicians and patients. The research with community-based group therapies (like mindfulness) to address the psycho-social aspects in chronic pain patients remains limited. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to see the effects of mindfulness on pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, chronic pain acceptance, perceived stress, well-being, and mindfulness characteristics. In this two-site, parallel group, clinical trial, 170 patients attending pain outdoors of two government hospitals in West Bengal, India, were randomized to attend five weekly in-person mindfulness sessions (cases) or usual care sessions (controls) within the hospital premises. Pre-program and post-program data were collected and analyzed using statistical methods like repeated measures analysis of variance. In participants of the mindfulness group, significant changes post session were noted in pain intensity [F(1,326) = 15.0122; P = 0.0001291], pain acceptance [F(1,326) = 4.5311; P = 0.03403], and perceived stress score [F(1,326) = 13.2788; P = 0.0003122] compared to pre-session. The changes in pain catastrophizing, World Health Organization well-being and Freiburg mindfulness inventory scores were non-specific. Mindfulness had a positive influence on pain intensity, pain acceptance, and perceived stress of Indian chronic pain patients. The effects on pain catastrophizing, mindfulness characteristics, and well-being (non-specific) were also encouraging. Further studies will be required to substantiate these results.