Positive Health Online

Abstract

MEIZE-GROCHOWSKI and COLLEAGUES, 1. University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, College of Nursing, USA. Electronic address: Rmeize@salud.unm.edu ; 2. University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, College of Nursing, USA; 3. University of New Mexico, Center for Life, USA; 4. University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, CTSC Biostatistics, USA; 5. University of New Mexico, Psychology Department, USA; 6. University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, USA conducted a randomized controlled pilot study to examine daily meditation in older adults with post herpetic neuralgia.

Background

This parallel-group, randomized controlled pilot study examined daily meditation in a diverse sample of older adults with post herpetic neuralgia.

Methodology

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 enrolment 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

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.

Conclusion

Participants were able to adhere to the daily diary and meditation requirements in this feasibility pilot study.

References

Meize-Grochowski R1, Shuster G2, Boursaw B2, DuVal M3, Murray-Krezan C4, Schrader R4, Smith BW5, Herman CJ6, Prasad A6. Mindfulness meditation in older adults with postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled pilot study. Geriatr Nurs.;36(2):154-60. Mar-Apr  2015. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2015.02.012. Epub Mar 14 2015.