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Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation-Enhanced Mindfulness-Based Program for Chronic Pain: a Single-Blind Randomized Sham Controlled Pilot Study

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Abstract

Objectives

Chronic pain impacts approximately 100 million adults in the USA. Mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) are effective behavioral treatments for chronic pain, yet the effects tend to be small. The current study was designed to assess whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could enhance learning of mindfulness skills (primary outcome) in an MBP among adults with chronic pain. We also examined whether MBP + tDCS resulted in improvements in pain acceptance, pain coping, and physical health (secondary outcomes).

Methods

A single blind randomized controlled trial was used to examine the effectiveness of active tDCS (2.0 mA)-enhanced MBP compared to sham tDCS (0.1 mA)-enhanced MBP for adults with chronic pain. Participants (N = 47) were diagnosed with chronic pain and were recruited from the community. Self-report measures of mindfulness, pain, and physical health were completed at baseline and end of treatment. Participants were randomized to active or sham tDCS of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Participants were blind to tDCS condition and all participants received a group MBP for eight bi-weekly, 2-hour sessions over 4 weeks.

Results

There were no main effects of active tDCS on primary or secondary outcomes. Those who received active tDCS as compared with sham tDCS and who attended more treatment sessions, reported significantly higher rates of mindfulness and greater overall physical health after participating in a group MBP.

Conclusions

This study advances our knowledge of behavioral interventions for chronic pain by testing a novel combination intervention that may help those struggling with pain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology and Psychological Clinical Neurosciences Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

    Elizabeth McCallion, Charles S. H. Robinson, Vincent P. Clark & Katie Witkiewitz

  2. Counseling & Psychological Services, Humboldt State University, 1 Harpst St, Arcata, CA, USA

    Elizabeth McCallion

  3. Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Charles S. H. Robinson

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  1. Elizabeth McCallion
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  2. Charles S. H. Robinson
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  3. Vincent P. Clark
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  4. Katie Witkiewitz
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Contributions

EM designed and executed the study, analyzed data, and wrote the paper. SR collaborated with design, execution, and writing of the study. VC collaborated with design, execution, and writing of the study. KW collaborated with design and execution, analyzed data, wrote portions of the results section, and was involved in editing the final manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth McCallion.

Ethics declarations

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the University of New Mexico Institutional Review Board and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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McCallion, E., Robinson, C.S.H., Clark, V.P. et al. Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation-Enhanced Mindfulness-Based Program for Chronic Pain: a Single-Blind Randomized Sham Controlled Pilot Study. Mindfulness 11, 895–904 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01323-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01323-8

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