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Date of Award

Spring 2021

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

Department

Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences

First Advisor

Kevin Basile MD, PT

Abstract

Chronic pain is a poorly managed condition which many people suffer from despite a variety of treatment options. Although opioids can be useful in temporarily alleviating pain, their long term effectiveness in patients with chronic pain has not been demonstrated. Considering the current opioid epidemic, exploring alternative methods such as practicing mindfulness is essential. This paper aims to determine if, in adults with opioid treated chronic pain (>3 months), does mindfulness practice help improve their symptoms and overall quality of life compared to opioid and traditional treatment methods alone?

A literature search was performed using multiple search engines using the search terms, “Adult AND chronic pain AND mindfulness AND opioid.”

Every study included showed a statistically significant (p<.05) improvement in their main outcome measured, demonstrating the utility of mindfulness. These outcome measures were different for each study though making comparison difficult.

While studies showed similarities in being RCTS, their blinding, and age groups, their many differences included exact treatment method, control group design, and outcome measures. Because of these differences, a proper treatment recommendation on the usefulness of mindfulness could not be made.

Although individual studies showed positive results on the effect of mindfulness, their different methodologies and measured outcomes made effective comparison difficult. Because of this, the findings of this literature analysis do not provide clear supportive evidence that mindfulness may be an effective therapy for patients with opioid treated chronic pain. Clinicians should still consider these studies individually and consider mindfulness as a treatment for this population.

Additional Files

Poster Presentation.pptx (1013 kB)

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The Usefulness of Mindfulness in Adults with Opioid Treated Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a poorly managed condition which many people suffer from despite a variety of treatment options. Although opioids can be useful in temporarily alleviating pain, their long term effectiveness in patients with chronic pain has not been demonstrated. Considering the current opioid epidemic, exploring alternative methods such as practicing mindfulness is essential. This paper aims to determine if, in adults with opioid treated chronic pain (>3 months), does mindfulness practice help improve their symptoms and overall quality of life compared to opioid and traditional treatment methods alone?

A literature search was performed using multiple search engines using the search terms, “Adult AND chronic pain AND mindfulness AND opioid.”

Every study included showed a statistically significant (p<.05) improvement in their main outcome measured, demonstrating the utility of mindfulness. These outcome measures were different for each study though making comparison difficult.

While studies showed similarities in being RCTS, their blinding, and age groups, their many differences included exact treatment method, control group design, and outcome measures. Because of these differences, a proper treatment recommendation on the usefulness of mindfulness could not be made.

Although individual studies showed positive results on the effect of mindfulness, their different methodologies and measured outcomes made effective comparison difficult. Because of this, the findings of this literature analysis do not provide clear supportive evidence that mindfulness may be an effective therapy for patients with opioid treated chronic pain. Clinicians should still consider these studies individually and consider mindfulness as a treatment for this population.