Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mindfulness training on pain tolerance, psychological well-being, physiological activity, and the acquisition of mindfulness skills.
METHODS: Forty-two asymptomatic University students participated in a randomized, single-blind, active control pilot study. Participants in the experimental condition were offered six (1-h) mindfulness sessions; control participants were offered two (1-h) Guided Visual Imagery sessions. Both groups were provided with practice CDs and encouraged to practice daily. Pre-post pain tolerance (cold pressor test), mood, blood pressure, pulse, and mindfulness skills were obtained.
RESULTS: Pain tolerance significantly increased in the mindfulness condition only. There was a strong trend indicating that mindfulness skills increased in the mindfulness condition, but this was not related to improved pain tolerance. Diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased in both conditions.
CONCLUSION: Mindfulness training did increase pain tolerance, but this was not related to the acquisition of mindfulness skills.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 297-300 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Psychosomatic Research |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2007 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Affect/physiology
- Arousal/physiology
- Awareness/physiology
- Blood Pressure/physiology
- Female
- Humans
- Imagery, Psychotherapy
- Male
- Meditation/psychology
- Pain Threshold/physiology
- Pilot Projects
- Practice, Psychological
- Pulse
- Quality of Life/psychology
- Single-Blind Method