Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Multicenter Study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Medicine
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Chronic pain affects 15% of Spain's population, significantly impacting quality of life.
• Effective management strategies for chronic pain are crucial for patient well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in patients suffering from chronic pain.
• To assess MBCT's impact on pain intensity, psychological distress, and functional status.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental, pre- and post-test design was employed with 57 chronic pain patients across three hospitals.
• Standardized self-report measures assessed pain intensity, anxiety-depression, health perception, sleep interference, self-efficacy, acceptance, and mindfulness.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions were observed in present pain intensity, depression symptoms, and improved mental quality of life (medium effect sizes).
• Improvements were noted in self-efficacy for pain management and control (medium effect sizes).
• Substantial improvements were found in sleep quality and reduced sleep disturbances (large effect sizes).

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) demonstrates effectiveness in alleviating multiple symptoms associated with chronic pain.
• Further research is warranted to investigate the long-term maintenance of MBCT benefits in chronic pain populations.