This document discusses mindfulness-based approaches for managing chronic pain. It provides an overview of mindfulness, including definitions and research on its benefits. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment non-judgmentally. Research shows mindfulness can reduce pain, depression, anxiety and improve immune function. Techniques taught include breath awareness, body scans, and mindful daily living. The document reviews challenges but emphasizes mindfulness is learning to accept thoughts and feelings without judgment.

1. Mindfulness-Based Approaches
to Managing Chronic Pain
March 2014
Kimberly Murdoch BSW, RSW, dipl HSC, NTS, DAc

2. Disclosure
As a partner in For Health Wellness
Consultants Kimberly Murdoch profits from
sales of:
For Health meditation CDs and
downloads
For Health corporate seminars on
resiliency and productivity

3. Objectives
Learn about the neurobiology and research related to
mindfulness approaches
Understand and experience mindfulness techniques
Discuss ways to introduce mindfulness in the exam room
with complex chronic pain patients
Become aware of books and online resources for your
own learning and to support your patients in using
mindfulness for managing distress

4. Strong evidence that mind body‐
interventions such as mindfulness
elicit beneficial psychological and
pathophysiological effects on various
human diseases

5. What is Mindfulness?
• The most basic definition is the regulation of
attention through mind-body awareness skills
•Operational definition, “Mindfulness is a particular
way of paying attention, on purpose, in the present
moment, and non-judgmentally” Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD
• Mindfulness is developed through a relaxed,
passive attention to a repetitive or absorbing
stimulus that turns off the “inner dialogue” thereby
decreasing arousal of the sympathetic nervous
system Herbert Benson, MD, Harvard Medical School

6. What is Mindfulness?
•Mindfulness
includes:
• the aim
• the methods
• the outcomes
J Kabat-Zinn

7. Pain and the Mind-Body Connection
“Pain is not just a “body” problem, it is a
whole-systems problem.” Jon Kabat-Zinn
Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain
Management programs are
biopsychosocial interventions that
address several of the factors that
impact pain and the ability to heal

8. Multiple Factors Intersecting
Multiple factors impact perception of pain
and ability to heal:
thoughts, emotions, attentional biases, sleep,
nutrition, physical activity, socio-economics
and social support, life history, medical
interventions and medications, concurrent
pathologies, stress levels…

9. Mindfulness Skills
Breath Awareness
Guided Body Scan
3-Minute Breathing
Space
Mindful Daily Living

10. Breath Awareness
• Find a quiet place and consistent time for
practicing
• Attentional bias: Cultivate an attitude of
“trying easy”
• Training attention on
breathing sensations

11. Mindfulness Research Summary
Research suggests that mindfulness-
based therapies may be effective
adjunctive interventions for:
chronic pain, depression, anxiety, trauma,
Borderline Personality Disorder, OCD,
ADHD, addiction, stress
Currently few valid, reliable measures of
mindfulness

12. Research and Mindfulness-Based
Interventions in Patients with Chronic Pain
Reiner et al.: most of the reviewed chronic pain studies
(9/16) demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in
pain intensity among persons receiving mindfulness-
based interventions (MBIs)
Reductions in pain intensity were generally well
maintained in 3-month follow ups
Along with other beneficial effects of mindfulness
approaches, MBIs may help to reduce pain intensity
Reiner K, Tibi L, Lipsitz JD. Do Mindfulness-Based Interventions Reduce Pain Intensity?
A Critical Review of the Literature. Pain Med. 2013;14:230–242

13. Limitations of Research
Minimum threshold of 10 participants per group for study
inclusion was probably too low
Large majority of studies (13/16) included data only for
treatment completers which could bias results to favor
MBIs
Some studies involved novice meditators and other
studies focused on experienced meditators
Some of the controlled trials lacked randomization
Some studies investigated the effects of
mindfulness on other processes (e.g. emotion reactivity
or regulation) instead of the basic processes of
mindfulness itself
Reiner K, Tibi L, Lipsitz JD.(2013). Do Mindfulness-Based Interventions Reduce Pain Intensity? A Critical Review of
the Literature. Pain Med.14:230–242

14. Mindfulness Impact on Threat Appraisal
and Emotions
The Center for Investigating Healthy Minds
(CIHM), University of Wisconsin, Richard
Davidson, neuroscientist and team conducting
studies of “The Brain on Meditation” since 1992,
identified outcomes:
“Meditators' brains were active, particularly in the
left prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain
responsible for positive emotions” (Davidson, 2004)

15. What We Know About the Effects of
Mindfulness on Neurobiology
fMRI Conclusions:
Mindfulness meditation induces specific
changes in fMRI signal in several
structures, including the amygdala,
hippocampus, pons, anterior cingulate,
and intraparietal sulcus
Lazar, G. Bush, G. Fricchione, R.L. Gollub, G. Khalsa, H. Benson, H. (2000).
Functional Brain Mapping of the Relaxation Response using 3T fMRI S.W.
Neuroreport, 11, 7

16. What About Briefer
Mindfulness Interventions?
Moyer and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin-Stout
Random assignment to either a 5-week mindfulness
meditation group or wait list group
Meditation group meditated at home 2x/week, 25
minutes each time, on average
Meditation subjects showed same significant increase in
left hemisphere cortical activation as those who did full
intervention of earlier studies
Wait list group did not demonstrate these changes
Moyer, C. A. et al. (2011). Frontal Electroencephalographic Asymmetry Associated With
Positive Emotion Is Produced by Very Brief Meditation Training. Psychological
Science

17. Research Summary
75% of all illness is related to stress and
lifestyle habits. Former U.S. Surgeon General
Studies have found that regular practice
of meditation or relaxation provides
benefits to:
cardiac patients, surgery recovery,
immune function, pain relief, diabetics,
anxiety…

18. Physiological Benefits of Mindfulness Skills
Decrease blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension
Reduction in serum
cholesterol
Improved immune function
Reduction in cortisol levels
Reduce pain and anxiety
Improve sleep
Changes in neurotransmitters
- ↑ serotonin, ↓ depression
Decrease inflammation

19. Psychological Benefits of Mindfulness Skills
More optimism and decreased depression
Greater self-awareness
Improved coping abilities
Reduced aggression
Greater efficiency and productivity
Improved learning capabilities, concentration
and memory
Promote feelings of inner calm and tolerance

21. Mindfulness Skills
Breath Awareness
Guided Body Scan
3-Minute Breathing
Space
Mindful Daily Living

22. Applications and Benefits
To alter physical symptoms such as
hypertension, IBS, nausea, insomnia etc.
To decrease pain and the use of pain
medications
To decrease anxiety and fear
To alleviate depression and anger
To prepare for and experience medical
procedures, treatments and tests

23. Applications and Benefits continued…
To promote healing and recovery
To enhance inner strengths, resiliency,
optimism, and self-esteem
To increase feelings of well-being, comfort and
control
To increase self-awareness
To change negative thought patterns
At end of life

24. Exclusion/Inclusion Recommendations
Exclusion:
Patients with cognitive impairments
Patients experiencing mental clouding
associated with their pain conditions or
medications
Inclusion:
“Patient preference and enthusiasm are a good
guide” Dr. William Marchand, George E. Wahlen
Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the
University of Utah (July 11, 2012 ScienceDaily.com)

25. How to Make Mindfulness Meditation
Miserable
I shouldn’t have thoughts during meditation.
My body is supposed to be relaxed.
My body should be still.
Emotions keep coming up. I shouldn’t have
feelings such as anxiety or anger. I shouldn’t cry
during meditation.
My environment should be perfectly quiet.
I can’t do this. I’m not a patient person.

26. Difficulties and Challenges
No time
Intrusive thoughts or body sensations (pain)
Emotions or memories come to the surface
Restlessness, can’t sit still
Falling asleep, wandering mind
Environmental noises
Anxiety about “letting go”
I’m not doing it ‘right, trying too hard = frustration
Appearance of images

27. Summary
Many studies have found that mindfulness-
based approaches provide benefits to:
pain management, surgery recovery, anxiety,
depression, immune function, cardiac patients,
diabetics, resiliency
Mindfulness approaches can be introduced
to patients with chronic pain in the exam
room

28. Key Components to Mindfulness Practice
● Find a quiet place for practicing
● Cultivate an attitude of “trying easy”
● Train the mind to focus attention
● Practice daily
© 2013