These 3 therapies may outperform meds for chronic pain
Key Takeaways
Industry Buzz
“MBSR [targets pain] by enhancing awareness of the present moment and diminish[ing] negative reactivity as regulated by the central nervous system.” — Michael Kane, MD, board-certified physician at Indiana Center of Recovery
Want to help patients manage chronic pain without always reaching for a prescription pad? A growing body of research suggests mindfulness therapies may be one of the most underutilized tools in your clinical arsenal. Studies have even shown they may far outperform traditional recovery methods.
So what does this mean for your chronic pain patients? MDLinx spoke with two experts—Michael Kane, MD, a board-certified physician at Indiana Center of Recovery, and Manoj Sharma, PhD, an integrative health expert and professor at the University of Nevada—about the best scientifically validated mindfulness therapies for chronic pain reduction.
A new frontier in pain management?
Emerging scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in managing chronic pain through improved cognitive-emotional regulation and decreased pain perception.
Related: Is this the missing piece in chronic pain care?A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open involving adults with opioid use disorder revealed significant benefits from a structured mindfulness program known as the Mindful Recovery Opioid Use Disorder Care Continuum (M-ROCC).[] Participants undergoing the 24-week M-ROCC program experienced a 67% reduction in opioid cravings vs a 44% reduction among patients receiving traditional recovery support involving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and community reinforcement approaches.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, emphasizes cultivating greater awareness of the present moment to enhance patients’ psychological resilience against chronic pain.[]
According to Dr. Kane, MBSR specifically targets chronic pain by "enhancing awareness of the present moment and diminish[ing] negative reactivity as regulated by the central nervous system," providing patients with improved control over pain.
Dr. Sharma adds that structured, 8-week MBSR programs, consisting of weekly 90- to 120-minute sessions, have demonstrated significant reductions in pain intensity and improved physical functionality.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combines mindfulness practices and cognitive behavioral therapy principles, effectively addressing chronic pain through emotional regulation and cognitive reframing.
Dr. Kane notes MBCT’s role in reducing "the emotional burden of chronic pain without necessarily alleviating the sensations."
Neuroimaging studies support this, indicating that MBCT-related modulation in brain regions such as the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex facilitates reduced emotional suffering from chronic pain.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (AC) is an evidence-based mindfulness technique that encourages acceptance of pain and committed action aligned with personal values, thereby reducing chronic pain's psychological impact.
Dr. Sharma identifies ACT as one of the best current mindfulness approaches, highlighting its role in fostering "relaxation, enhancing acceptance of circumstances, and providing a focus on the present moment."
ACT notably reduces reactivity to negative emotional states linked to chronic pain, effectively managing musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain.
Integration with conventional pain management
Dr. Kane emphasizes integrating mindfulness therapies with traditional pain management strategies such as physical therapy, medication, and lifestyle interventions.
"Educating healthcare staff on the importance of mindfulness enhances its incorporation into treatment plans, enabling better-tailored care," he adds. Structured group sessions or mobile apps may support adherence among busy patient populations, optimizing therapeutic outcomes.
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