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Mindfulness, functioning and catastrophizing after multidisciplinary pain management for chronic low back pain
Emma Louise Cassidy1, Rachel Jane Atherton, Noelle Robertson
1Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Leicester, 104 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7LT, UK Back Pain Unit, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mansfield Road, Sutton in Ashfield NG17 4JL, UK Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre, Academic Rheumatology, University of Nottingham, Clinical Sciences Building, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK School of Psychology, Henry Wellcome Building, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK Chronic Pain Management Service, NHS Highland, Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness IV2 3UJ, UK.
Mindfulness interventions can improve chronic low back pain management. Increased mindfulness reduces pain disability and negative emotions by decreasing pain catastrophizing.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Pain Management
- Mindfulness Studies
Background:
- Chronic low back pain (CLBP) significantly impacts quality of life.
- Multidisciplinary pain management programs (PMPs) offer comprehensive care.
- The role of mindfulness in CLBP recovery requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of a cognitive-behaviourally informed PMP on mindfulness in patients with CLBP.
- To explore the relationships between changes in mindfulness, disability, affect, and pain catastrophizing.
- To identify potential mediators in the relationship between mindfulness and disability.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design with 116 participants at baseline and 87 at follow-up.
- Participants underwent a 3-month multidisciplinary PMP.
- Self-reported questionnaires assessed mindfulness, disability, affect, and pain catastrophizing.
Main Results:
- Mindfulness significantly increased after the intervention.
- Higher mindfulness levels predicted lower disability, anxiety, depression, and catastrophizing, independent of pain severity.
- Pain catastrophizing mediated the association between mindfulness and disability.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive-behavioural interventions within PMPs can enhance mindfulness.
- Increased mindfulness may reduce disability in CLBP through reduced catastrophizing.
- Targeting both mindfulness and catastrophizing may be key in CLBP management.
