Table 4.

Overview of randomized controlled trials investigating the treatment effect of interventions using the relaxation technique «meditation» on chronic pain.

Authors	Sample	Intervention	Control	Outcome measure	Results	Follow up
Kiran et al. (2014)	Chronic tension headache (N = 50)	Meditation (n = 30)	Treatment as usual (n = 20)	Pain intensity, pain frequency, medications.	Significant improvement on all outcome measures.	No follow-up.
Jeitler et al. (2015)	Chronic neck pain (N = 89)	Meditation (n = 45) vs. physical exercise (n = 44)	Baseline	Pain intensity, stress, well-being, depression/anxiety, quality of life.	Significantly reduced pain intensity.	No follow-up.
Michalsen et al. (2016)	Chronic low-back pain (N = 68)	Meditation (n = 32) vs. physical exercise (n = 36)	Baseline	Pain intensity, stress, well-being, quality of life.	Significantly reduced pain intensity and stress.	No follow-up.