Coping with chronic pain.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study assessing the effects of a brief mindfulness intervention for coping with chronic pain.
IRAS ID
160662
Contact name
Ana Howarth
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research Enterprise Office, St George's Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
The burden of chronic pain across Europe is a major challenge within healthcare as approximately 18% of the population currently live with moderate to severe chronic pain. As well as having a significant impact on physical function and quality of life, patients living with chronic pain commonly experience mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Brief mindfulness meditations (e.g. 10 mins duration) are often used to manage patients experiencing pain and distress. This technique typically involves being directed by an audio guide to focus on the present moment through observing the breath and becoming aware of and accepting without judgement, any associated thoughts and feelings. In areas where discomfort or difficult feelings need to be managed (e.g. chronic pain, quitting smoking) brief mindfulness interventions have been shown to have an immediate beneficial effect with chronic pain patients in clinic.
The two primary aims of the proposed study is to assess the immediate effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention on patients with chronic pain and the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomised controlled trial to determine effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a brief self-help mindfulness intervention for reducing depression and anxiety, and improving mindfulness and quality of life among those with chronic pain.
Patients attending outpatient clinics with chronic pain will be assessed by the relevant department clinicians and if they meet the inclusion criteria, they will be invited to participate in the study. Developed in partnership with patients with chronic pain, NHS consultants, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, and academics, this study will achieve its aims by meeting the objectives of: assessing eligibility, recruitment and retention rates, estimating effect sizes for outcomes (for depression and anxiety, mindfulness and quality of life), considering patients’ adherence to the treatment regimen (including experiences of the intervention and its acceptability and usefulness) and assessing resources used in provision of the intervention, including cost of the MP3 players, telephone calls and text messages and staff time involved in delivering the intervention.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1912
Date of REC Opinion
24 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion