Table 1.
Characteristics of the included studies
| Author, year | No. of participants, No. of groups | Mean age | Inclusion criteria | Treatment group: Intervention Program length, frequency, duration | Control group: Intervention Program length, frequency, duration | Longest follow-up | Outcome measures |
Resultsa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
a) at post treatment | ||||||||
| b) at follow up | ||||||||
| Esmer et al. 2010
[24] |
40, 2 |
55.2 ± 11.2 (MBSR); 54.9 ± 9.5 (CG) |
Persistent leg pain, low back pain or both, Lumbosacral spinal surgery within the last 2 years |
MBSR according to the curriculum developed at the University of Massachusetts 8-week program, once weekly for 1.5 to 2.5 hours plus one 6-hour session Including gentle yoga Homework: 45 min. meditation each day Additional usual medical care allowed |
Waiting list control group Additional usual medical care allowed |
40 weeks (in MBSR only) |
1. Pain Acceptance (CPAQ) |
1a. MBSR > CG, p = 0.014 |
| 2. Disability (RMDQ) |
2a. MBSR > CG, p = 0.005 |
|||||||
| 3. Pain Intensity (VAS) |
3a. MBSR > CG, p = 0.021 |
|||||||
| 4. Sleep Quality (Abridged PSQI) |
4a. MBSR > CG, p = 0.047 |
|||||||
| 5. Analgesic Medication Log |
5a. MBSR > CG, p = 0.001 |
|||||||
| |
1b-5b. All effects were maintained within MBSR |
|||||||
| Morone et al. 2008
[25] |
37, 2 |
74.1 ± 6.1 (MBSR); 75.6 ± 5.0 (CG) |
65 years of age or older, MMSE ≥ 23, Chronic low back pain (with moderate intensity for at least 3 months) |
MBSR according to the curriculum developed at the University of Massachusetts Without yoga 8-week course, once weekly for 1.5 hours Homework: 45 min. meditation each day |
Waiting list control group |
3 months (in MBSR only) |
1. Pain Intensity (MPQ-SF, SF-36 Pain Scale) |
1a. NS |
| 2. Pain Acceptance (CPAQ) |
2a. Total Score: MBSR > CG, p = 0.008; Activities Engagement: MBSR > CG, p = 0.004 |
|||||||
| 3. Quality of Life (SF-36) |
3a. NS |
|||||||
| 4. Disability (RMDQ, SPPB, SF-36 Physical Functioning Scale) |
4a. SF-36 Physical Functioning Scale: MBSR > CG p = 0.03; NS for RMDQ and SPPB |
|||||||
| |
1b-4b. NS when compared to post treatment assessment |
|||||||
| Morone et al. 2009 [26] | 40, 2 | 78.0 ± 7.1 (MBSR); 73.0 ± 6.2 (CG) | 65 years of age or older, MMSE ≥ 24, Chronic low back pain (with moderate intensity for at least 3 months) | MBSR according to the curriculum developed at the University of Massachusetts Without yoga 8-week course, once weekly for 1.5 hours Homework: 45 min. meditation each day | Health education program 8-week course, once weekly for 1.5 hours Homework: mental exercise each day | 4 months | 1. Disability (RMDQ) |
1a. NS |
| 2. Pain Intensity (MPQ-SF, SF-36 Pain Scale) |
2a. NS |
|||||||
| 3. Self-efficacy (CPSS) |
3a. NS |
|||||||
| 4. Quality of Life (SF-36 Role Emotional Scale) |
4a. MBSR > CG, p < 0.05 |
|||||||
| 5. Mindfulness (MAAS, FFMQ) |
5a. NS |
|||||||
| 1b-5b. NS |
Abbreviations: CG – control group; CPAQ – Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire; CPSS – Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale; FFMQ – Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire; MAAS – Mindful Attention Awareness Scale; MBSR – Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction; MMSE – Mini-Mental Status Exam; MPQ-SF – McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form; NS – not significant; PSQI – Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; RMDQ – Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire; SF-36 – Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form survey; SPPB – Short Physical Performance Battery; VAS – Visual Analog Scale.
a > indicates “significantly better than”.