A Mindfulness Program Adapted for Adolescents With Chronic Pain: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Initial Outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Pediatric chronic pain is a major health issue that can lead to significant interference in daily functioning. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI's), which emphasize acceptance rather than control of pain, have gained increasing attention as a viable treatment option among adults with chronic pain. The effectiveness of MBIs for chronic pain in pediatric populations remains largely unknown. This prospective pre-post interventional study was conducted to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and initial effectiveness of an 8-week group MBI adapted for adolescents (MBI-A) with chronic pain.


METHODS
Self-report measures assessing pain characteristics, anxiety, depression, disability, pain catastrophizing, perceived social support, mindfulness, and pain acceptance were administered at baseline, postintervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. In addition, session data were collected to assess each session's impact on patients' coping with pain and stress, body awareness, and sense of feeling less alone.


RESULTS
In total, 42 consecutive patients in a tertiary care chronic pain clinic met eligibility criteria to participate in the MBI-A group. Of these, 21 participated. A treatment completion rate of 90.5% was observed. Between session mindfulness practice was reported by 77% of participants. Participants were highly satisfied with the MBI-A and all participants reported they would recommend the group to a friend. Improvements in pain acceptance were observed between baseline and the 3-month follow-up, in domains of Pain Willingness and Activity Engagement. Session data revealed improved body awareness and improved ability to cope with stress across sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
The MBI-A is a feasible, well-received intervention for adolescents with chronic pain conditions. Findings support the need for further investigation of the efficacy of MBI-A through randomized-controlled trials.
*The Hospital for Sick Children †Graduate Program in Psychology, York University ‡Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Danielle A
DA
Ruskin
Michelle M
MM
Gagnon
Sara A
SA
Kohut
Jennifer N
JN
Stinson
Kathryn S
KS
Walker
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety; D058443:Catastrophization; D002648:Child; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D064866:Mindfulness; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D016896:Treatment Outcome