Effects of Breathing and Attention Training (BAT) on Pain Modulation

Effects of Breathing and Attention Training (BAT) on Pain Modulation in Healthy Individuals and Patients With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

The hypersensitivity of fibromyalgia is associated with abnormal pain modulation within the CNS, but not with peripheral or central sensitization. Many brain areas that contribute to modulation of pain are known, but their testing is complex and expensive. Quantitative sensory testing is easier to perform and repeatable. Therefore, it will be used to evaluate the effects of Breathing Attention Training (BAT) on the hypersensitivity of FM participants. BAT is a form of mindfulness meditation shown to decrease FM symptoms and possibly pain sensitivity. We hypothesize that pain modulation of chronic pain patients is improved by BAT.

Participants will be asked to do 20-minutes of focused breathing and attention training, involving focusing on taking deep breaths and becoming aware of the changing body sensations associated with breathing (mindfulness).

BAT is an instructor guided breathing technique over 20 min that will be applied once in a training session and approximately one week later in a testing session.

Controlled Breathing (without mindfulness) is an instructor guided breathing technique over 20 min that will be applied once in a training session and approximately one week later in a testing session.

Ratings of painful and non-painful stimuli in FM subjects and HC will be obtained before and after BAT or Deep Breathing. Painful stimuli will include pressure stimuli. Painless stimuli will consist of flashing light stimuli.

Inclusion Criteria: Individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia will have pain of duration > 6 months and meeting the 1990 Research Diagnostic Criteria for FM (ACR) Healthy, pain-free age matched controls without chronic pain Exclusion Criteria: Personal or family history of photosensitive epilepsy Prior history of cancer or diabetes Patients must be willing to discontinue their analgesics, hypnotics, anxiolytics, or anti-depressants during the study period for at least 5 half-lives.