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Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for headache pain: An evaluation of the long-term maintenance of effects.

Complementary therapies in medicine
August 1, 2017
Melissa A Day et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine the durability of treatment gains from an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program for headache pain over a 6-month follow-up period.

Results Summary

Significant pre- to post-treatment improvements were maintained at 6 months for pain intensity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, activity engagement, and self-efficacy, with moderate to large effect sizes. Mindfulness and pain willingness showed non-significant improvements with small effects.

Population

Individuals with headache pain attending a headache clinic or university psychology clinic (N=19).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

8 weeks

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
decrease
pain intensity
individuals with headache pain
-
significant gains were found
#1
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
decrease
pain interference
individuals with headache pain
-
significant gains were found
#2
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
decrease
pain catastrophizing
individuals with headache pain
-
significant gains were found
#3
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
increase
activity engagement
individuals with headache pain
-
significant gains were found
#4
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
increase
self-efficacy
individuals with headache pain
-
significant gains were found
#5
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
decrease
pain intensity
individuals with headache pain
-
gains were maintained
#6
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
decrease
pain interference
individuals with headache pain
-
gains were maintained
#7
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
decrease
pain catastrophizing
individuals with headache pain
-
gains were maintained
#8
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
increase
activity engagement
individuals with headache pain
-
gains were maintained
#9
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
increase
self-efficacy
individuals with headache pain
-
gains were maintained
#10
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
no change
mindfulness
individuals with headache pain
small effects observed
Improvement was non-significant
#11
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program
no change
pain willingness
individuals with headache pain
small effects observed
Improvement was non-significant
#12
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the durability of gain patterns following an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for headache pain program. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants (N=19) were individuals with headache pain who completed both the MBCT program as well as a 6-month follow-up assessment at a headache clinic or a university psychology clinic. Standardized measures of the primary outcomes (pain intensity and pain interference) and secondary outcomes (pain catastrophizing, mindfulness, activity engagement, pain willingness, and self-efficacy) were administered. Paired-samples t tests and effect sizes were examined. RESULTS: Significant (uncorrected ps<.05) pre- to post-treatment gains were found for pain intensity, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, activity engagement and self-efficacy, and these gains were maintained at 6-months post-treatment. Effect sizes for the significant changes from pre- to post-treatment, and from pre-treatment to follow-up were mostly consistent across epochs (.62≤ds≤-1.40), indicating steady maintenance of effects. Improvement in mindfulness and pain willingness was non-significant immediately post-treatment and at follow-up, with small effects observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to a growing body of literature supporting the durability of MBCT for painful conditions. Results indicated a consistent pattern of maintenance of treatment-related gains across a number of key pain-related outcomes. Future research with a larger sample is needed to investigate the mechanisms underlying these continued gains in order to optimize targeted relapse-prevention.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Activities of Daily LivingAdultCatastrophizationCognitive Behavioral TherapyFollow-Up StudiesHeadacheHumansMindfulnessPainSelf EfficacySeverity of Illness IndexTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations15
Citations/Year1.9
Relative Citation Ratio1.05
NIH Percentile51.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.72
Normalized Score0.63
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