title: Meditation awareness training for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to conduct the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention (SG-MBI) for treating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Compared to first-generation mindfulness-based interventions, SG-MBIs are more acknowledging of the spiritual aspect of mindfulness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A RCT employing intent-to-treat analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults with FMS received an 8-week SG-MBI known as meditation awareness training (MAT; n = 74) or an active control intervention known as cognitive behaviour theory for groups (n = 74). Assessments were performed at pre-, post-, and 6-month follow-up phases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Meditation awareness training participants demonstrated significant and sustained improvements over control group participants in FMS symptomatology, pain perception, sleep quality, psychological distress, non-attachment (to self, symptoms, and environment), and civic engagement. A mediation analysis found that (1) civic engagement partially mediated treatment effects for all outcome variables, (2) non-attachment partially mediated treatment effects for psychological distress and sleep quality, and (3) non-attachment almost fully mediated treatment effects for FMS symptomatology and pain perception. Average daily time spent in meditation was found to be a significant predictor of changes in all outcome variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meditation awareness training may be a suitable treatment for adults with FMS and appears to ameliorate FMS symptomatology and pain perception by reducing attachment to self. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Designing interventions to treat fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) continues to be a challenge. There is growing interest into the applications of mindfulness-based interventions for treating FMS. Second-generation mindfulness-based interventions (SG-MBIs) are a key new direction in mindfulness research. What does this study add? Meditation awareness training - an SG-MBI - resulted in significant reductions in FMS symptomatology. SG-MBIs recognize the spiritual aspect of mindfulness and may have a role in the treatment of FMS.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, UK.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van Gordon
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, UK.
authors.forename: Edo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shonin
authors.affiliation: Psychology Division, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: Miguel Servet University Hospital, University of Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garcia-Campayo
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, UK.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012890:Sleep; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: fibromyalgia syndrome; meditation awareness training; mindfulness; pain disorder; second-generation mindfulness-based interventions; spirituality