NEW STUDY FINDS MINDFULNESS EASES EMOTIONAL PAIN BY 44 PER CENT

New research has shown that mindfulness meditation significantly reduces emotional pain.

A research team from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center discovered that subjects who practised mindfulness meditation had a 44 per cent greater pain relief than placebo. Brain scans revealed that this form of meditation substantially created various patterns of activity than those from placebo for pain management.

Neurobiology and anatomy assistant professor Dr Fadel Zeidan [pictured], lead investigator of the study, said they were completely surprised by the results, as they assumed some overlap in brain regions between meditation and placebo. ‘[The] findings from this study provide novel and objective evidence that mindfulness meditation reduces pain in a unique fashion,’ Zeidan said.

The team analysed 75 healthy, pain-free individuals randomly assigned to mindfulness meditation, placebo meditation, placebo analgesic cream, or control. They used pain ratings and brain imaging to determine meditation effects.

After the introduction of pain on skin and brain scanning, the mindfulness meditation group reported that emotional pain was reduced by 44 per cent and pain intensity by 27 per cent. The morphine or placebo cream, on the other hand, slashed emotional pain by 13 per cent and pain sensation by 11 per cent.

Past research indicated that the opioid morphine decreased physical pain by 22 per cent, which mindfulness outperformed in this new study published in the November 18, 2015 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

  

Mindfulness meditation reduced pain through the activation of the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, two brain regions linked to self-regulation of pain. Placebo cream, on the other hand, reduced pain via reducing brain activity in areas that process pain, particularly the secondary somatosensory cortex.

Meditation also deactivated the thalamus, which served as a pathway determining if sensory details are allowed to reach higher brain centers. Zeidan explained that shutting down this area caused pain signals to simply go away.

The lead researcher said this is the first time mindfulness meditation emerged as ‘mechanistically distinct and produces pain relief above and beyond the analgesic effects’ associated with placebo cream or pretend meditation.

Based on the findings, as little as four 20-minute sessions of mindfulness meditation every day could enhance treatment of pain. However, as the research focused on healthy and pain-free participants, further studies need to be done to see impacts on patients of chronic pain.

Journal article:

Zeidan F, Emerson NM, Farris SR, Ray JN, Jung Y, McHaffie JG and Coghill RC. ‘Mindfulness Meditation-Based Pain Relief Employs Different Neural Mechanisms Than Placebo and Sham Mindfulness Meditation-Induced Analgesia.’ The Journal of Neuroscience, 18 November 2015, 35(46): 15307-15325; doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2542-15.2015

RELATED POSTS

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION AND PAIN MANAGEMENT

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION CAN REDUCE THE SENSATION OF PAIN 

IRISH STUDY SUPPORTS THE USE OF MINDFULNESS FOR CHRONIC PAIN

MINDFUL STRETCHING FOR NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN AND ASSOCIATED HEADACHES

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please read the Terms of Use and Disclaimer. The information provided on or linked to this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your medical practitioner or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on this blog or elsewhere. For immediate advice or support call (in Australia) Lifeline on 13 1 1 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. For information, advice and referral on mental illness contact (in Australia) the SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) go online via sane.org. In other countries call the relevant mental health care emergency hotline or simply dial your emergency assistance telephone number and ask for help.