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Cost of opioid-treated chronic low back pain: Findings from a pilot randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation-based intervention.

Journal of opioid management
January 1, 2017
Aleksandra E Zgierska et al. (4 authors)
Comparative StudyJournal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to test whether mindfulness meditation (MM) could reduce the economic burden associated with opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Results Summary

The study found that MM reduced pain severity and sensitivity to heat stimuli but did not significantly impact direct or indirect costs related to opioid-treated CLBP. Despite the lack of cost reduction, MM improved clinical outcomes, suggesting potential benefits warranting further investigation.

Population

Adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain (≥30 morphine-equivalent mg/day for 3+ months).

Effective Dosage

Eight weekly therapist-led MM sessions and at-home practice (specific duration/frequency not detailed).

Duration

26 weeks (including 8 weeks of intervention).

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness meditation (MM)
decrease
pain severity ratings
adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP)
-
reduced
#1
mindfulness meditation (MM)
decrease
pain sensitivity to heat stimuli
adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP)
-
reduced
#2
mindfulness meditation (MM)
no change
direct costs
adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP)
-
no statistically significant impact
#3
mindfulness meditation (MM)
no change
indirect costs
adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP)
-
no statistically significant impact
#4
mindfulness meditation (MM)
no change
total costs
adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP)
-
no statistically significant impact
#5
mindfulness meditation (MM)
increase
clinical outcomes
adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP)
-
can improve
#6
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Opioid-treated chronic low back pain (CLBP) is debilitating, costly, and often refractory to existing treatments. This secondary analysis aims to pilot-test the hypothesis that mindfulness meditation (MM) can reduce economic burden related to opioid-treated CLBP. DESIGN: Twenty-six-week unblinded pilot randomized controlled trial, comparing MM, adjunctive to usual-care, to usual care alone. SETTING: Outpatient. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five adults with opioid-treated CLBP (≥30 morphine-equivalent mg/day) for 3 + months enrolled; none withdrew. INTERVENTION: Eight weekly therapist-led MM sessions and at-home practice. OUTCOME MEASURES: Costs related to self-reported healthcare utilization, medication use (direct costs), lost productivity (indirect costs), and total costs (direct + indirect costs) were calculated for 6-month pre-enrollment and postenrollment periods and compared within and between the groups. RESULTS: Participants (21 MM; 14 control) were 20 percent men, age 51.8 ± 9.7 years, with severe disability, opioid dose of 148.3 ± 129.2 morphine-equivalent mg/d, and individual annual income of $18,291 ± $19,345. At baseline, total costs were estimated at $15,497 ± 13,677 (direct: $10,635 ± 9,897; indirect: $4,862 ± 7,298) per participant. Although MM group participants, compared to controls, reduced their pain severity ratings and pain sensitivity to heat stimuli (p < 0.05), no statistically significant within-group changes or between-group differences in direct and indirect costs were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with opioid-treated CLBP experience a high burden of disability despite the high costs of treatment. Although this pilot study did not show a statistically significant impact of MM on costs related to opioid-treated CLBP, MM can improve clinical outcomes and should be assessed in a larger trial with long-term follow-up.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AbsenteeismAnalgesics, OpioidChronic PainCost-Benefit AnalysisDisability EvaluationDrug CostsEfficiencyFemaleHumansLow Back PainMaleMeditationMiddle AgedMindfulnessPain MeasurementPilot ProjectsSick LeaveTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeWisconsin
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy65/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations7
Citations/Year0.9
Relative Citation Ratio0.40
NIH Percentile21.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.77
Normalized Score0.61
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