Positive impacts of psychological pain treatments: Supplementary analyses of a randomized clinical trial.
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.