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Effects of hypnosis vs mindfulness meditation vs education on chronic pain intensity and secondary outcomes in veterans: a randomized clinical trial.

Pain
January 1, 1970
Rhonda M Williams et al. (10 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation (MM) with hypnosis (HYP) and an education control (ED) in reducing chronic pain and related symptoms in veterans.

Results Summary

Mindfulness meditation showed greater decreases in average pain intensity and pain interference at 6 months posttreatment compared to the education control, with benefits persisting beyond treatment. No significant differences were found between MM and HYP at any time point.

Population

Veterans with chronic pain (N = 328).

Effective Dosage

8 manualized, group-based, in-person sessions.

Duration

8 sessions (duration not specified).

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (14)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
hypnosis (HYP)
decrease
average pain intensity (API)
Veterans
-
greater decreases
#1
hypnosis (HYP)
decrease
pain interference
Veterans
-
greater decreases
#2
hypnosis (HYP)
decrease
depressive symptoms
Veterans
-
greater decreases
#3
mindfulness meditation (MM)
decrease
average pain intensity (API)
Veterans
-
greater decreases
#4
mindfulness meditation (MM)
decrease
pain interference
Veterans
-
greater decreases
#5
hypnosis (HYP)
no change
outcomes
Veterans
-
no significant differences
#6
mindfulness meditation (MM)
no change
outcomes
Veterans
-
no significant differences
#7
hypnosis (HYP)
decrease
average pain intensity (API)
Veterans
-
improvements
#8
mindfulness meditation (MM)
decrease
average pain intensity (API)
Veterans
-
improvements
#9
active education control (ED)
decrease
average pain intensity (API)
Veterans
-
improvements
#10
hypnosis (HYP)
decrease
several secondary variables
Veterans
-
improvements
#11
mindfulness meditation (MM)
decrease
several secondary variables
Veterans
-
improvements
#12
active education control (ED)
decrease
several secondary variables
Veterans
-
improvements
#13
active education control (ED)
decrease
improvements
Veterans
-
dissipate over time
#14
Abstract

Effective, rigorously evaluated nonpharmacological treatments for chronic pain are needed. This study compared the effectiveness of training in hypnosis (HYP) and mindfulness meditation (MM) with an active education control (ED). Veterans (N = 328) were randomly assigned to 8 manualized, group-based, in-person sessions of HYP (n = 110), MM (n = 108), or ED (n = 110). Primary (average pain intensity [API]) and secondary outcomes were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3 and 6 months posttreatment. Treatment effects were evaluated using linear regression, a generalized estimating equation approach, or a Fisher exact test, depending on the variable. There were no significant omnibus between-group differences in pretreatment to posttreatment change in API; however, pretreatment to posttreatment improvements in API and several secondary variables were seen for participants in all 3 conditions. Participation in MM resulted in greater decreases in API and pain interference at 6 months posttreatment relative to ED. Participation in HYP resulted in greater decreases in API, pain interference, and depressive symptoms at 3 and 6 months posttreatment compared with ED. No significant differences on outcomes between HYP and MM were detected at any time point. This study suggests that all 3 interventions provide posttreatment benefits on a range of outcomes, but the benefits of HYP and MM continue beyond the end of treatment, while the improvements associated with ED dissipate over time. Future research is needed to determine whether the between-group differences that emerged posttreatment are reliable, whether there are benefits of combining treatments, and to explore moderating and mediating factors.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Chronic PainHumansHypnosisMeditationMindfulnessPain MeasurementTreatment OutcomeVeterans
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations20
Citations/Year6.7
Relative Citation Ratio3.82
NIH Percentile89.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.81
Normalized Score0.67
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