Potential mediators of the effects of clinical hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, and pain education on chronic pain in Veterans.
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.