Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
L. Hilton, S. Hempel, Brett A. Ewing, Eric A. Apaydin, L. Xenakis, S. Newberry, Benjamin Colaiaco, A. R. Maher, R. Shanman, M. Sorbero, M. Maglione
Annals of Behavioral Medicine September 22, 2016 DOI: 10.1007/s12160-016-9844-2 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review and meta-analysis of 38 randomized controlled trials found low-quality evidence that mindfulness meditation is associated with a small decrease in pain compared with various control conditions in adults with chronic pain. Statistically significant improvements were also seen for depression symptoms and quality of life. Only seven of the included trials reported on safety. The authors conclude that while mindfulness meditation improves pain, depression, and quality of life, additional well-designed, large-scale trials are needed to provide more definitive estimates of its efficacy.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review with meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults with chronic pain |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | Mindfulness meditation is associated with a small decrease in pain and improvements in depression symptoms and quality of life in adults with chronic pain, based on low-quality evidence. |
Abstract
BackgroundChronic pain patients increasingly seek treatment through mindfulness meditation.PurposeThis study aims to synthesize evidence on efficacy and safety of mindfulness meditation interventions for the treatment of chronic pain in adults.MethodWe conducted a systematic review on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with meta-analyses using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman method for random-effects models. Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Outcomes included pain, depression, quality of life, and analgesic use.ResultsThirty-eight RCTs met inclusion criteria; seven reported on safety. We found low-quality evidence that mindfulness meditation is associated with a small decrease in pain compared with all types of controls in 30 RCTs. Statistically significant effects were also found for depression symptoms and quality of life.ConclusionsWhile mindfulness meditation improves pain and depression symptoms and quality of life, additional well-designed, rigorous, and large-scale RCTs are needed to decisively provide estimates of the efficacy of mindfulness meditation for chronic pain.