Written by Kevin Liu
Spoon Feed
A self-paced, telehealth mindfulness-based intervention for chronic pain was effective, affordable, and scalable.
Synopsis
This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of two telehealth mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for chronic pain among veterans, compared to usual care. The study enrolled 811 participants and followed them for one year. Statistically significant improvements were observed in both group and self-paced MBIs for pain-related function (group MBI vs. control: -0.4, 95%CI -0.7 to -0.2; self-paced MBI vs. control: -0.7, 95%CI -1.0 to -0.4). Additionally, secondary outcomes such as pain intensity, physical function, depression, PTSD, and sleep disturbance also improved significantly in both intervention groups. The results suggest that telehealth MBIs are effective, scalable, and viable for chronic pain management. [AI-generated]
A painless solution for chronic pain
This article is highly relevant to current pain management standards, emphasizing the growing role of nonpharmacological treatments for chronic pain. MBIs have been recognized as effective, but traditional in-person programs have been perceived as costly and difficult to scale. This trial demonstrated the efficacy of self-paced MBIs, not only for chronic pain management but also for addressing complex biopsychosocial comorbidities such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, in a veteran population. Notably, the study excluded individuals with psychotic symptoms, suicidality, severe depression, uncontrolled bipolar disorder, or significant behavioral issues. In the context of the opioid crisis, self-paced MBIs offer a practical, low-risk, and accessible solution, utilizing pre-recorded videos and a structured curriculum that patients can complete independently, supplemented by three facilitator phone calls to address technical concerns and monitor progress. This study reinforces the utility of MBIs as a cornerstone in comprehensive chronic pain management strategies.
Source
Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Pain: The LAMP Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2024 Oct 1;184(10):1163-1173. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.3940. Erratum in: JAMA Intern Med. 2024 Oct 1;184(10):1270. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.5487. PMID: 39158851; PMCID: PMC11334014.
