The DOI matches its Crossref record; 76 of the 76 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Do Mindfulness-Based Interventions Reduce Pain Intensity? A Critical Review of the Literature
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) emphasizing a nonjudgmental attitude toward present moment experience are widely used for chronic pain patients. Although changing or controlling pain is not an explicit aim of MBIs, recent experimental studies suggest that mindfulness practice may lead to changes in pain tolerance and pain intensity ratings. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to investigate the specific effect of MBIs on pain intensity. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the databases PUBMED and PsycINFO for relevant articles published from 1960 to December 2010. We additionally conducted a manual search of references from the retrieved articles. Only studies providing detailed results on change in pain intensity ratings were included. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included in this review (eight uncontrolled and eight controlled trials). In most studies (10 of 16), there was significantly decreased pain intensity in the MBI group. Findings were more consistently positive for samples limited to clinical pain (9 of 11). In addition, most controlled trials (6 of 8) reveal higher reductions in pain intensity for MBIs compared with control groups. Results from follow-up assessments reveal that reductions in pain intensity were generally well maintained. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that MBIs decrease the intensity of pain for chronic pain patients. We discuss implications for understanding mechanisms of change in MBIs.
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“In the case of AMTs for chronic pain, most outcome studies find AMTs also reduce pain intensity in addition to other clinical outcomes (Reiner et al., 2013).”
From Decoupling as a Mechanism of Change in Mindfulness and Acceptance: A Literature Review (2015) · cites this paper as Reiner et al., 2013
In the citing paper
“Mindfulness and acceptance interventions in addition to routine cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) have previously been recommended because it has been demonstrated to effectively improve mental health and decrease medicalsymptomsalongwithdisease-relateddistress.”
From The Effect of Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on the Management of Asthma: A Randomized Clinical Trial (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
In the citing paper
“The mindfulness and acceptance approach helps patients face bothering thoughts, which have been routinely avoided. In this way, patients try not to judge the irritating condition before exposure, and eventually, these patients learn to allow the conditions to act as 'they are now and here,' not more than real and not similar to previous experiences (42, 43).”
From The Effect of Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on the Management of Asthma: A Randomized Clinical Trial (2022) · cites this paper as [43]
In the citing paper
“Information on stress management was adapted from principles of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) [16], a promising mind-body intervention [28–31].”
From Engaging women with an embodied conversational agent to deliver mindfulness and lifestyle recommendations: A feasibility randomized control trial (2017) · cites this paper as [29]
In the citing paper
“Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR), which combines meditation training and stress management practices, has shown efficacy in treating pain, depression, stress and anxiety.(25–29)”
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Sorted by citations
Mindfulness Meditation for Chronic Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Hilton, L., Hempel, S., Ewing, B. A., Apaydin, E., Xenakis, L., Newberry, S., Colaiaco, B., Maher, A. R., Shanman, R. M., Sorbero, M. E., et al. (2017) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12160-016-9844-2 · Cited by 977
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Metadata
- Authors
- Reiner, K., Tibi, L., & Lipsitz, J. D.
- Affiliations
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Lipsitz, Joshua D.
- Venue
- Pain Medicine
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2013-02
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 230-242
- ISSN
- 1526-2375 (ISSN-L)
- 1526-4637
- OpenAlex
- W1480988304
- Cited by
- 208
- References
- 76
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 4
- FWCI
- 1.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Pain Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Pain Management and Placebo Effect
- Keywords
- mindfulness-based interventions, pain intensity, chronic pain, pain tolerance, nonjudgmental acceptance, mechanisms of change
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Pain Measurement, Relaxation Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Meditation, Pain Management
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