Table 4.

Treatment Satisfaction, Qualitative Responses (n = 17): Examples of Participant Responses to Questions, Organized by Major Themes

Theme	Examples of participant responses
Q: Think back to when you first started the course; what did you hope to gain from it?
Better pain control (n = 8)	“I wanted another tool to deal with pain.”
	“A way to have control over my pain, instead of it having control over me.”
Learn how to meditate (n = 5)	“I hoped to learn how to meditate and become comfortable doing so. I was curious as to how I could use mindfulness on a daily basis.”
Better coping skills in general (n = 4)	“A new and different way of coping.”
	“The ability to get away from the stress causing extra pain/worse pain.”
Less reliance on pain medications (n = 3)	“The ability to manage pain with less meds.”
	“I wanted a way to decrease pain and get through pain flare ups without asking for more medications.”
Other (n = 3)	“Open-minded, increase focus.”
	“A support network.”
	“My doctor heard of this study—he thought I might be able to use less ‘heavy’ medication.”
Q: How important has this meditation course been to you?
Helped with pain control (n = 8)	“I needed other ways to cope with pain besides medication, and heat, ice, and rest.”
	“I think it's one of several tools I can use when pain or stress is hard to handle.”
	“It has helped my pain a lot to meditate.”
	“Above all I learned that mindful meditation can help me be more positive about how I deal with my pain.”
	“Gave me another tool to deal with not only pain, but life situations.”
Helped with things other than pain (n = 8)	“My sleeping habits have improved….”
	“[N]ew way to deal with stress.”
	“[T]his will help in my everyday life.”
	“Learning the importance of taking the time each day and what the results are from doing that.”
Other (n = 4)	“I truly enjoyed meeting others who have similar struggles.”
	“Addition of resources (CDs, book, sessions) for my toolbox.”
Q: How useful has this course been in helping you improve coping with your chronic back pain?
Useful for pain management (n = 10)	“It didn't take away the pain, it just made it easier to deal with it.”
	“It helped me leave somehow into a non-painful state.”
	“Taking the time to meditate and relax thereby keeping my body relaxed lessening the muscle spasms. That lessens the pain and is wonderful.”
	“I already coped with my pain pretty well. This was just a stepping stool, for me another way to cope a little better.”
Useful for coping in general/other aspects (n = 6)	“[U]seful in so many ways from stopping arguments to doing dishes….”
	“[H]elps me pause my mind and change to a more positive direction.”
	“[D]ealing with stress which also helps with pain.”
	“Increase sleep and rest.”
Not helpful/tailored enough (n = 3)	“I found that the constant focus on pain increased my pain….”
	“Did not help very specifically with back pain.”
	“I think it was for general pain.”
Q: What did you get out of participating in this study, if anything? What did you learn?
Better coping skills in general (n = 8)	“Learned how to have alternate ways to deal with life.”
	“I learned I have control/power over my thoughts. I have choices. I am not my pain.”
Learned how to meditate (n = 8)	“A sense of a variety of ways to meditate and a chance to try them on for ‘size.’”
	“I learned how to meditate. … I also learned how to be mindful.”
Better pain control (n = 5)	“I learned to be mindful of my pain and how to meditate to relax and decrease focus from being negative when pain increases.”
	“I learned that I was much more physically tensed up which caused me excruciating pain….”
	“It helped me learn to let certain thoughts pass … and accept that the pain comes and it will pass.”
Support from others (n = 4)	“That I wasn't alone.”
	“Support network.”
Other (n = 3)	“Expanded growth, more attentive and aware.”
	“I … practice more self-care.”
Q: What, if anything, prevented you from coming to the sessions?
No barriers (n = 4)	“Made it to every session.”
Pain (n = 5)	“I missed two sessions. Because of pain. I was very upset by this.”
	“I missed a few and my pain was too much to bear to sit through the session(s).”
Illness (n = 4)	“[I] was just not feeling well….”
	“I was in the hospital….”
Scheduling conflict (n = 3)	“Doctor appointment. Out of town.”
	“I started a new job ….”
Transportation problems (n = 3)	“Transportation. Live at least 30 miles away or more.”
	“Car trouble.”
	“Not wanting to drive [in the] rain.”
Q: During the course, what were your biggest obstacles to a regular, daily meditation practice?
None (n = 3)	“Since I live alone in my own house, it's very quiet, so [it] was very easy to [do].”
Difficulties with making time for practice (n = 8)	“Just finding the time every day to do the meditation.”
	“I'm too busy sometimes to sit down and meditate formally. I do well with informal [practice] and incorporating mindfulness into my exercise.”
Illness (n = 3)	“Didn't feel well….”
	“Physical illness.”
Pain (n = 2)	“[P]ain intensity.”
	“Managed to meditate, but sometimes my pain level made sitting still difficult.”
External distractions (n = 2)	“[No obstacles] except when people were around.”
	“Interruptions from neighbor.”
Q: Please share with us your suggestions on how we can improve this and future projects.
No change (n = 3)	“Don't change a thing. I loved it!”
Course structure and availability (n = 6)	“More intense.”
	“A longer meditation class schedule. …2 hours per class is perfect.”
	“Make sure you are adapting to disabilities….”
	“Expand [availability].”

Q, question.