Four-Year Follow-Up of a Meditation-Based Program for the Self-Regulation of Chronic Pain

A training program in mindfulness meditation led to large and significant improvements in physical and psychological status among 225 chronic pain patients. These gains were maintained at follow-up for most participants, with follow-up periods ranging from 2.5 to 48 months. However, scores on the McGill Melzack Pain Rating Index tended to return to pre-intervention levels after the training ended. Most subjects reported high adherence to the meditation techniques, sustained improvement over time, and considered the training program highly important. The authors conclude that mindfulness meditation training can provide long-term benefits for chronic pain patients.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Two hundred twenty-five chronic pain patients were studied following training in mindfulness meditation. Large and significant overall improvements were recorded post-intervention in physical and psychological status. These gains were maintained at follow-up in the majority of subjects. Follow-up times ranged from 2.5–48 months. Status on the McUill Melzack Fain Rating Index (PRI). however, tended to revert to preintervention levels following the intervention. Most subjects reported a high degree of adherence with the meditation techniques, maintenance of improved status over time, and a high degree of importance attributed to the training program. We conclude that such training can have long-term benefit for chronic pain patients.