title: Mindfulness meditation in older adults with postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: This parallel-group, randomized controlled pilot study examined daily meditation in a diverse sample of older adults with postherpetic neuralgia. Block randomization was used to allocate participants to a treatment group (n = 13) or control group (n = 14). In addition to usual care, the treatment group practiced daily meditation for six weeks. All participants completed questionnaires at enrollment in the study, two weeks later, and six weeks after that, at the study's end. Participants recorded daily pain and fatigue levels in a diary, and treatment participants also noted meditation practice. Results at the 0.10 level indicated improvement in neuropathic, affective, and total pain scores for the treatment group, whereas affective pain worsened for the control group. Participants were able to adhere to the daily diary and meditation requirements in this feasibility pilot study.
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, College of Nursing, USA. Electronic address: Rmeize@salud.unm.edu.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meize-Grochowski
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, College of Nursing, USA.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shuster
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, College of Nursing, USA.
authors.forename: Blake
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boursaw
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Center for Life, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: DuVal
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, CTSC Biostatistics, USA.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murray-Krezan
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, CTSC Biostatistics, USA.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schrader
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Psychology Department, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Carla J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.affiliation: University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Arti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness; D051474:Neuralgia, Postherpetic / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Daily meditation; Neuropathic pain; Pain management; Postherpetic neuralgia