Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for fibromyalgia patients: The role of pain cognitions as mechanisms of change.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on fibromyalgia patients and identify the role of pain cognitions (PIPS and PCS) as mechanisms of change.
Results Summary
MBSR showed significant improvements in fibromyalgia symptoms, perceived stress, and depression compared to the waitlist control, with effects mediated by changes in pain-related cognitions (PIPS and PCS). Improvements in stress and depression remained stable over six months.
Population
95 fibromyalgia patients (mean age 49.18 ± 13.26 years).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Intervention duration not explicitly stated, but measurements were taken pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 6-month follow-up.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | FM symptoms | FM patients | F(1,78) = 2.81, p < 0.05 | showed greater improvements | #1 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | perceived stress (PSS) | FM patients | F(1,78) = 4.38, p < 0.05 | showed greater improvements | #2 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | depression | FM patients | F(1,78) = 21.12, p < 0.001 | showed greater improvements | #3 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | perceived stress (PSS) | FM patients | F(2,68) = 7.75, p < 0.05 | improvements remained stable | #4 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | depression | FM patients | F(2,68) = 15.68, p < 0.05 | improvements remained stable | #5 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | FM symptoms | FM patients | - | effect was mediated by | #6 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | perceived stress (PSS) | FM patients | - | effect was mediated by | #7 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) | decrease | depression | FM patients | - | effect was mediated by | #8 |
BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a pain condition characterized by physical and psychological difficulties. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on FM patients and identify the role of two pain cognitions: psychological inflexibility in pain (PIPS) and pain catastrophizing (PCS), as mechanisms of change. METHODS: 95 FM patients (Mean ± SD: 49.18 ± 13.26 years) were randomly assigned to MBSR group therapy (n = 49) or a waitlist (WL) control group (n = 46). An adapted MBSR protocol for FM was employed. A series of measures were taken, covering FM symptoms, depression, perceived stress (PSS), PIPS and PCS. Three measurements were conducted: pre-intervention, post-intervention and 6-months follow up. RESULTS: Compared to WL controls, the MBSR group showed greater improvements in FM symptoms (F(1,78) = 2.81, p < 0.05), PSS (F(1,78) = 4.38, p < 0.05) and Depression (F(1,78) = 21.12, p < 0.001), with mostly medium effect sizes. Improvements in PSS (F(2,68) = 7.75, p < 0.05) and depression (F(2,68) = 15.68, p < 0.05) remained stable over six months. The effect of MBSR on FM and PSS was mediated by one's reported change in PIPS. The effect of MBSR on depression was mediated by one's reported change in PCS. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal the significant therapeutic potential of MBSR for FM patients, due to the emphasis on non-judging and acceptance of negative inner states. Furthermore, this research identified two important pain-related cognitions as mechanisms of change, suggesting that MBSR contributes to cognitive change, which enables the reduction of physical and psychological distress. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04304664.