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Research: VAN GORDON and COLLEAGUES,
Listed in Issue 256
Abstract
VAN GORDON and COLLEAGUES, 1. Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, UK; 2. Psychology Division, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, UK; 3. Miguel Servet University Hospital, University of Zaragoza, Spain conducted the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention (SG-MBI) for treating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).
Background
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.
Methodology
Design: A RCT employing intent-to-treat analysis. 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.
Conclusion
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.
References
Van Gordon W1, Shonin E1, Dunn TJ2, Garcia-Campayo J3, Griffiths MD1. Meditation awareness training for the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.
Br J Health Psychol. 22(1): 186-206. doi: 10.1111/bjhp.12224. Epub 2016 Nov 25. Feb 2017.
Comment
The above research demonstrated the effectiveness of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention (SG-MBI) for treating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) symptomatology.
