A Quantitative Study: The Effect of Mindful Meditation on Chronic Back Pain
PURPOSE STATEMENT
This study hopes to show a decrease in the dependence of
opioids as a primary treatment option for CBP, and shift
the focus to non-pharmacological therapies such as
mindfulness meditation.
RESEARCH QUESTION
In adult patients suffering from chronic back pain, will
the implementation of meditation decrease the use of
opioid therapy?
VARIABLES
Independent Variables for this study are the treatment
options: meditation therapy and opioid therapy.
Dependent Variable for this study will be pain
BACKGROUND
Chronic back pain (CBP) is experienced by more than 75%
of adults in the US. Back pain can be debilitating and may
severely impact functionality and the quality of life.
With increasing concerns surrounding prescription drug
misuse and addiction, considering nonpharmacological
options for CBP treatment is vital. Research shows
mindful meditation positively impacts CBP, quality of life,
functionality, and physical and mental abilities It is
important to decrease the dependence on opioids as the
primary treatment option for CBP and shift the focus to
nonpharmacological options by implementing therapies
such as mindfulness meditation.
RESEARCH METHODS AND DESIGN
POPULATION
The population consist of community dwelling adults,
both male and female, ages 18-65. Advertisements will
be posted at ten San Diego are Pain Management
Clinics to 50 recruit patients with low back pain.
Patients will be included in the study if they meet the
following criteria: they have been experiencing chronic
back pain between six months and five years, have
failed NSAID therapy, and have been followed at a pain
clinic for less than three months. Exclusion criteria
includes previous participation in a mindfulness
meditation program or other alternative therapies or
have symptoms suggestive of serious underlying
medical illnesses causing their pain.
INTERVENTIONS
The treatment group will participate in 90 minute
weekly meetings for 8-weeks. Homework will include
daily meditation (45-minutes) and journaling (5-
minutes). Support audio, and reading materials will be
provided to aid in the sessions. The first week will
include presentation of meditation basics as well as body
scan techniques. The control group will not deviate from
their current treatment plan and will journal daily.
Design: Randomized, controlled clinical trial
Methods: Assessments will be done pre-, post-, and at 3
months post-treatment. Pain intensity will be assessed
with two measures: McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form
and SF-36 Pain scale. Pain acceptance will be measured
with the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire. The
Activity Engagement subscale will also be analyzed.
Quality of life will be measured with SF-36 Health Status
Inventory. Physical function will be measured using: the
Roland-Morris Questionnaire in order to assess self-
reported disability; the Short Physical Performance
Battery to assess the clients balance and gait abilities;
and the SF-36 Physical Function scale will assess change
in physical function. The follow-up session will be
scheduled three months after the interventions to get
feedback and to assess the continuation of meditation
practices.
DATA ANALYSIS
Data Analysis will be performed using SPSS for statistical
analysis. The chi-square and sample t tests will be used
to evaluate the differences in the group on pain scale,
pain acceptance, quality of life and physical
function. The purpose of using the chi-square test is to
see if the intervention decreased the pain of the
individual. The purpose of the t-test is to see if the
intervention decreased the pain of the individual.
FUTURE IMPLICATIONS
This study hopes to show that a mindfulness meditation
intervention program will enhance the care of individuals
with chronic pain and will reduce opioid abuse. This
research will contribute to the literature of non-
pharmacological treatment of chronic pain. This study
hopes to also provide a solution to the opioid epidemic
by offering alternative treatments for chronic pain
management while decreasing the use of opioids.