The Movement, Mindfulness, and Pain Science (MMaPS) Class Improves Well-Being and Physical Function in Patients With...

This study sought to quantify the impact of participation in an interactive class for patients with chronic pain called Movement, Mindfulness, and Pain Science (MMaPS), on physical function, pain catastrophizing, and quality of life.

Patients with chronic pain of any type were enroled in an 8-week course that implemented principles of safe movement, mindfulness, and meditation practice, and also incorporated education related to the biopsychosocial model of pain science. Questionnaires were collected from participants who attended the MMAPS programme in the 2018 through 2020 sessions prior to and after the class to measure participant outcomes, which included the pain catastrophizing scale (PCS), Adverse Childhood Events score (ACE), Quality of Life scale (QOL), Patient Specific Functional Score (PSFS), 30 s sit to stand (30 STS), and 4-stage balance (4SBT).

One hundred fifty-five people completed the class. The median Pain Catastrophizing Scale score dropped from 19 to 11 (p < 0.001). Median Quality of Life scores increased from 5 to 6 (p < 0.001) on a 10-point scale. Patient Specific Functional Scale scores improved from an average score of 2.5 to 5.1 (p < 0.001). Median 30 Second Sit-to-Stand scores improved from 8 to 11 (p < 0.001). The 4-stage balance test improved with 39% of patients having completed all four stages at intake and 56% completing all four stages by the end of class (p = 0.001).

Patients with chronic pain had significant improvements in several measures of wellness and physical function after participating in the MMaPS class.