Pain therapy pilot leaves meditation's added value unresolved
Pain interference improved within both therapy groups, but these changes do not establish an advantage for the meditation-focused program.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
This pilot examined whether a pain therapy program emphasizing daily formal meditation was feasible and ready for further testing. Pain interference improved within both groups after treatment, with smaller effect sizes at follow-up. These within-group changes do not establish a difference between therapies; the authors recommend further development before a formal efficacy trial.
The abstract gives no direct between-treatment effect estimate. Comparing AMP with CBT also leaves meditation's specific contribution unresolved.
What researchers found
Pain interference with AMP
Treatment end versus pretreatment within AMP. d measures change relative to how much scores vary, in standard-deviation units; negative means less interference from pain.
Pain interference with CBT
Treatment end versus pretreatment within CBT. d measures change relative to how much scores vary, in standard-deviation units; negative means less interference from pain.
Feasibility is a separate question
Enrollment, retention and satisfaction supported the program's feasibility. However, treatment expectations were lower than anticipated in both groups. These measures describe acceptability and delivery; they do not establish comparative effectiveness.
Practice links remain observational
More home meditation practice was associated with greater improvements in depressive symptoms and pain-related helplessness within AMP. That association cannot show whether practicing more caused the improvement.
The original publication
ACTing with Mindfulness for Pain (AMP): A pilot randomized controlled trial of an integrated acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness meditation program.
Herbert MS, Fishbein JN, Tynan M et al.
Behav Res Ther · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40939294
- Record checked
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