Rehabilitation psychology
August 1, 2023
Aaron P Turner, Karlyn A Edwards, Mark P Jensen et al.
5 citations
Mindfulness meditation and hypnosis, originally intended to treat chronic pain, also reduced daily cannabis use among U.S. military veterans. In a randomized trial with 328 Veterans at two VA medical centers, those receiving mindfulness meditation were 85% less likely to use cannabis daily at 3 months and 81% less likely at 6 months, compared to an active education control group. Hypnosis reduced daily cannabis use risk by 82% at 6 months. Neither intervention affected tobacco or alcohol use. Baseline substance use in the prior 3 months was 22% for tobacco, 27% for cannabis, and 61% for alcohol. The findings suggest these therapies may help reduce cannabis use even when that is not the treatment goal.
Rehabilitation psychology
February 1, 2025
Erica J Ho, Aaron P Turner, Mark P Jensen et al.
1 citation
Clinical trials of pain treatments usually measure symptom reduction, but many people live well despite pain. This study tested whether hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, or pain psychoeducation improved positive psychosocial functioning—coping and meaning-making—in 262 Veterans with chronic pain. At posttreatment and 3-month follow-up, no group differed. By 6-month follow-up, those who received hypnosis or mindfulness meditation reported better positive psychosocial functioning than those who received psychoeducation. The findings suggest that pain interventions can foster human flourishing, not just reduce symptoms.
The journal of pain
January 6, 2026
Mark P Jensen, Marcia A Ciol, Kevin J Gertz et al.
Among 328 U.S. military veterans with chronic pain, three psychological changes helped explain why clinical hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and pain education all reduced pain intensity and interference: greater willingness to tolerate pain, increased engagement in valued activities despite pain, and reduced catastrophizing. A fourth factor—working alliance with the therapist—was linked to pain reduction only for those receiving clinical hypnosis. Catastrophizing played a larger role in mindfulness training's effects, while pain willingness mattered more for hypnosis's effect on pain interference. The findings suggest that treatments targeting thoughts about pain, avoidance, valued activities, and therapeutic alliance may improve outcomes, but replication is needed.