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Published on: May 11, 2020
Pain Perception Can Be Modulated by Mindfulness Training: A Resting-State fMRI Study
I-Wen Su1, Fang-Wei Wu2, Keng-Chen Liang3
1Graduate Institute of Linguistics, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan; Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan UniversityTaipei, Taiwan.
Mindfulness training reduced pain perception in participants. This was associated with enhanced brain connectivity between the anterior insular cortex and dorsal anterior midcingulate cortex, suggesting a neural basis for mindfulness in pain modulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Pain perception is complex, involving sensory, affective, and cognitive-evaluative dimensions.
- Understanding the neural mechanisms of pain modulation is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on pain perception and associated brain network changes.
- To compare brain-behavior responses before and after a 6-week MBSR intervention in individuals with pain.
Main Methods:
- Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and validated questionnaires (Dallas Pain Questionnaire, SFMPQ, KIM).
- Assessed participants in a pain-afflicted group (N=18) and a control group (N=16).
Main Results:
- The pain-afflicted group reported significantly reduced pain after MBSR training (SFMPQ scores).
- Observed increased functional connectivity between the anterior insular cortex (AIC) and dorsal anterior midcingulate cortex (daMCC) post-training.
- Found a significant correlation between AIC-daMCC connectivity and reduced pain scores.
Conclusions:
- Mindfulness training effectively modulates subjective pain experience.
- Enhanced AIC-daMCC connectivity may represent a neural mechanism through which mindfulness influences pain perception.
- These findings support mindfulness as a potential therapeutic strategy for pain management.
