Mindfulness meditation and chronic pain management in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with traumatic brain injury: A pilot study

Thomas H. Nassif, Julie C. Chapman, Friedhelm Sandbrink, Deborah O. Norris, Karen L. Soltes, Matthew J. Reinhard, Marc Blackman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of iRest meditation for chronic pain in veterans with moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Veterans were randomly assigned to iRest (n = 4) or treatment as usual (n = 5) for eight weeks. Patient-reported pain intensity and interference were assessed at baseline, end point, and four-week follow-up. Veterans receiving iRest reported clinically meaningful reductions in pain intensity (23% to 42%) and pain interference (34% to 41%) for most outcome measures and time points. Effect sizes were large for pain interference (g = 0.92–1.13) and medium to large for intensity (g = 0.37–0.61). We conclude that iRest is a promising self-management approach for chronic pain in veterans with moderate TBI.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)82-89
Number of pages8
JournalMilitary Behavioral Health
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • chronic pain
  • complementary therapies
  • meditation
  • mindfulness
  • musculoskeletal pain
  • Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
  • traumatic brain injury
  • Veterans’ health
  • yoga

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • General Psychology

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