4-week Mindfulness Program for Adults With Chronic Pain

The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a 4-week mindfulness training program for adults with chronic pain (noncancer related). The intervention is based on the MIndfulness-based Stress Reduction Program, an 8-week mindfulness training program developed to help people manage stress-related and chronic conditions. The adapted mindfulness intervention will consist of four, weekly 1 hour and 30 minute group sessions that are modified from the original program to fit the shorter length and to directly address chronic pain management. Participants will complete pre- and post-intervention surveys and daily mindfulness practice diaries, all online. The surveys will help us determine if participants experience decreased pain interference, increased quality-of-life, and increased psychological well-being over the course of the intervention. Participants will also complete a post-intervention telephone interview to help determine satisfaction with the intervention and areas where the intervention can be improved.

The intervention is adapted from the mindfulness-based stress reduction program. The adapted mindfulness training program consists of four, weekly 90 minute group sessions that focus on education on chronic pain and mindfulness, instruction and in-class mindfulness skills practice, and group discussion.

Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire. Each item is scored separately and rated on a scale from 1 [not at all] to 10 [very]. Scores for each item range from 1-10, with higher ratings indicating higher credibility and expectancy.

Pain intensity rating: 1 item from the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), with pain intensity rated on 0-10 scale with lower values indicating less pain, or better outcome.

Pain Interference short-form 6b, Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scale. Raw scores were converted using the HealthMeasures scoring service to standardized T-Scores with M=50, SD=10 and ranging from 20 to 80. A lower score indicates lower pain interference, or a better outcome.

Physical functioning short-form 4a - Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scale. Raw scores were converted using the HealthMeasures scoring service to standardized T-Scores with M=50, SD=10 and ranging from 20 to 80. A higher score indicates higher physical functioning, or a better outcome.

Depression short-form 4a - Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System scale. Raw scores were converted using the HealthMeasures scoring service to standardized T-Scores with M=50, SD=10 and ranging from 20 to 80. A lower score indicates less depression, a better outcome.

Anxiety short-form 4a - Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System. Raw scores were converted using the HealthMeasures scoring service to standardized T-Scores with M=50, SD=10 and ranging from 20 to 80. Lower scores represent lower anxiety, a better outcome.

Sleep disturbance short-form 4a - Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System. Raw scores were converted using the HealthMeasures scoring service to standardized T-Scores with M=50, SD=10 and ranging from 20 to 80. Lower scores represent less sleep disturbance, a better outcome.

Perceived Stress Scale - 4 item version. Possible scores range from 0-16. Lower scores indicate lower perceived stress, a better outcome.

Positive Affect and Well-being Scale - 9 items. This scale comes from the Neurological Quality of Life Measurement System (Neuro QOL). Raw scores were converted using the HealthMeasures scoring service to standardized T-Scores with M=50, SD=10 and ranging from 20 to 80. Higher scores indicate greater positive affect and well-being, a better outcome.

Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Scores range from 0-52, with higher scores indicating more pain catastrophizing, or worse outcome.

Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire-Revised. Scores range from 0-120 with higher scores representing higher chronic pain acceptance, a better outcome.

Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory. Possible scores range from 14 to 52, with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness, a better outcome.

Inclusion Criteria: One or more chronic noncancer pain diagnoses (daily pain for at least 3 months) Has a pain management provider Reports more than minimal pain bothersomeness and interference in general activities Able to read and understand English Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of mental illness with psychotic features History of inpatient admission for psychiatric disorder in past 2 years Active alcohol or substance abuse within the past year Has completed a mindfulness-based stress reduction or other mindfulness course; has or previously had a regular mindfulness meditation practice. Unable or unwilling to comply with study procedures (online questionnaires and practice diaries, 4 weekly intervention sessions, home practice, and one semi-structured phone interview).