Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for headache pain: An evaluation of the long-term maintenance of effects.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.