Pilot clinical trial of a clinical meditation and imagery intervention for chronic pain after spinal cord injury

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2022 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2021.1970894 · Published: January 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Pain Management

Simple Explanation

This study explored whether a 4-week program of clinical meditation and imagery (CMI) could help people with spinal cord injury (SCI) manage chronic pain. Participants were taught mindfulness, mantra meditation, and guided imagery, while a control group received health education. The study found CMI to be feasible and acceptable, suggesting further research is needed to assess its potential benefits for pain-related outcomes.

Study Duration

4 weeks intervention, 4 weeks follow-up

Participants

24 adults with chronic SCI (>1 year) and chronic pain

Evidence Level

Pilot randomized, controlled trial

Key Findings

1
Pain interference decreased more in the control group, contrary to the initial hypothesis.
2
The CMI group showed larger decreases in worst pain intensity, depressive symptomology, and the maladaptive belief in pain as a sign of harm.
3
Perceived control over pain increased in the CMI group relative to the control group.

Research Summary

This pilot study assessed the feasibility and potential benefits of a Clinical Meditation and Imagery (CMI) intervention for people with chronic pain after spinal cord injury (SCI). The study found that CMI is feasible and acceptable for people with SCI and chronic pain, warranting further research to assess potential benefits for pain-related outcomes. Although pain interference decreased more in the control group, the CMI group showed improvements in pain intensity, depressive symptomology, and pain beliefs.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

CMI can be considered as a complementary therapy for chronic pain management in SCI, but further research is needed to confirm its benefits.

Research

Future studies should focus on refining the CMI intervention and identifying appropriate outcome measures, such as pain cognitions and depressive symptomology.

Patient Education

Patients with SCI and chronic pain may benefit from learning about CMI as a potential self-management strategy, even if its effectiveness is not yet fully established.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size limits the precision of treatment effect estimates.
2
High loss to follow-up during screening may have biased the study sample toward individuals with less pain-related disability.
3
Control group participants spent less time in homework activities, potentially affecting the comparison between groups.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury