First Advisor
Claire Wheeler
Date of Award
6-10-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health Studies: Health Sciences and University Honors
Department
Health Studies
Subjects
Chronic pain -- Alternative treatment, Backache -- Alternative treatment, Meditation -- Therapeutic use, Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, Mindfulness (Psychology)
DOI
10.15760/honors.791
Abstract
This thesis is a comprehensive review of the literature on the efficacy of meditation an adjunctive treatment for chronic lower back pain management. Nine published studies were identified by a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature. The studies vary methodologically in their organization and designs as well as by sample size, with the largest study including 282 participants and the smallest including 8 participants. The studies were compared and contrasted based on experimental design, measured outcomes or assessments, and research findings. The main outcomes measured across the studies included changes in functional mobility, pain bothersomeness, acceptance and awareness, and changes in depressive states, the results of which were variable. The differences in results may be contributable to inconsistencies between the organization and design of each study. Overall, the studies supported meditation, specifically the MBSR program, as a beneficial additional method of treatment for chronic lower back pain management. Given the increasing need for effective treatments that target chronic pain management, greater adherence to the consistency in the organization and design of randomized control studies to that of the MBSR clinical procedures, must be emphasized in order to evaluate the efficacy of the MBSR program as a valuable adjunctive treatment.
Rights
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Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/29087
Recommended Citation
Wyckoff, Alison M., "A Literature Review Evaluating the Efficacy of Meditation as an Adjunctive Method for Managing Chronic Lower Back Pain" (2019). University Honors Theses. Paper 773.
https://doi.org/10.15760/honors.791