peer review studies: Mindfulness, Yoga, Somatic therapies
STUDY FOCUS - CITATION - SUMMARY - RESEARCH WEB LINK:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Chronic PainKabat-Zinn et al. (1985).
The clinical use of mindfulness meditation for chronic pain. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. This foundational stud demonstrated that mindfulness meditation significantly reduces perceived pain intensity and improves coping. It introduced MBSR as a non-pharmacological intervention for chronic pain conditions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3897551/
MBSR for Fibromyalgia Grossman et al. (2007).
Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits: A meta-analysis. Findings showed substantial improvements in well-being and pain perception among fibromyalgia patients. MBSR helped patients reduce emotional distress related to chronic pain.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21146930/
Mindfulness for Chronic Back Pain Cherkin et al. (2016).
MBSR vs CBT vs usual care for chronic back painJAMA. MBSR and CBT both improved physical functioning and reduced back pain more effectively than standard medical care. Mindfulness offered benefits comparable to cognitive therapy.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4914381/
Mindfulness and Migraine Wells et al. (2014).
Meditation formigraines: A pilot RCT. Headache. Meditation training decreased migraine frequency and improved pain severity. The study showed promise for mindfulness as a low■risk intervention for migraine sufferers.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25041058/
Mindfulness for Recurrent Depression Segal et al. (2010).
MBCT for recurrent depression: RCT. Arch Gen Psychiatry. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy significantly decreased relapse in individuals with recurrent depression. Depression and chronic pain share overlapping neurological pathways that mindfulness helps regulate.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3964149/
Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain Sherman et al. (2011).
Yoga vs stretching vs self-care book. Arch Intern Med. Yoga produced greater functional improvement and pain relief than stretching or educational materials. Gentle movement and breathwork were particularly beneficial for chronic musculoskeletal pain.
https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-155-9-201111010-00003
Yoga for Low Back Pain – Long Term Tilbrook et al. (2011).
Yoga for chronic low back pain: RCT. Ann Intern Med. Long■term yoga practice significantly improved mobility and reduced disability caused by back pain. Participants maintained gains months after completing the program.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22041945/
Yoga for Fibromyalgia Carson et al. (2010).
Yoga of Awareness for fibromyalgia. Pain. Yoga decreased pain, fatigue, and emotional distress in fibromyalgia patients. Participants also reported increased body awareness and improved mood.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20946990/
Yoga for Migraine Frequency John et al. (2007).
Yoga therapy for migraine: RCT. Headache. Yoga significantly reduced migraine frequency and intensity. Improvements were linked to relaxation and autonomic regulation.
https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2007.00789.x
Yoga and Chronic Pain Meta-analysis Cramer et al. (2012).
Yoga for chronic pain: Systematic review. Pain. Across numerous studies, yoga consistently reduced pain and improved quality of life. Benefits were strongest for back pain and fibromyalgia.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK569982/
Somatic-Based Therapy for Chronic Pain Payne et al. (2015).
Somatic movement program for chronic low back pain. J Bodywork Movement Therapies. Somatic movement improved mobility and reduced pain severity. Participants reported greater awareness of tension patterns contributing to pain.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25699005/
Somatic Experiencing for Trauma-Related Symptoms Brom et al. (2017).
Somatic experiencing for PTSD: RCT. J Traumatic Stress. Somatic Experiencing significantly reduced PTSD symptoms and associated physical pain. It improved emotional regulation and decreased hyperarousal.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jts.22189
Body-Oriented Therapy and Trauma Price (2005).
Body-oriented therapy for survivors of abuse. Alternative Therapies. Participants showed reduced dissociation and chronic pain symptoms. Body-oriented therapy improved emotional processing and self-regulation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16189948/
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga for PTSD van der Kolk et al. (2014).
Yoga for PTSD: RCT. J Clin Psychiatry. Yoga reduced trauma-related symptoms more than traditional talk therapy alone. Participants reported improved body awareness and emotional grounding.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5404814/
Yoga for Trauma & Substance Use Gerrity et al. (2015).
Trauma-sensitive yoga for women with PTSD and SUD. J Alt Comp Med. Trauma-sensitive yoga lowered stress and improved emotional regulation. It also helped reduce pain-related triggers linked to trauma.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25004196/
Mindfulness Meditation Meta-analysis Hilton et al. (2017).
Mindfulness for chronic pain: Meta-analysis. Annals Behavioral Medicine. Mindfulness meditation reduced chronic pain intensity acrossdiverse conditions. The review confirmed consistent improvements in mood and functioning.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5368208/
Meditative Movement (Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong) Jahnke et al. (2010).
Review of Tai Chi & Qigong. AJHP. Meditative movement improved physical function and reduced pain-linked disability. Benefits stemmed from breath regulation, focus, and gentle movement.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3085832/
Mindfulness for Fibromyalgia – RCT Schmidt et al. (2011).
MBSR for fibromyalgia. Arthritis Research & Therapy. MBSR improved pain levels, fatigue, and emotional symptoms. Participants experienced better
coping and reduced perceived suffering.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3085832/
Mindfulness for Chronic Pelvic Pain Mehling et al. (2018).
Mindfulness for pelvic pain: RCT. JPsychosom Obstet Gynecol. Mindfulness increased interoceptive awareness and reduced pain severity. It also improved stress-related pain responses.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8760341/
Yoga, Depression, and Pain Uebelacker et al. (2010).
Hatha yoga for depressive symptoms. Depression & Anxiety. Yoga reduced depressive symptoms and improved emotional well■being. Chronic pain patients benefited from vimproved mood regulation.