Author: Chad-Friedman E1, Talaei-Khoei M1, Ring D1, Vranceanu AM1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Conference/Journal: Arch Bone Jt Surg.
Date published: 2017 Nov
Other:
Volume ID: 5 , Issue ID: 6 , Pages: 400-405 , Word Count: 209
Background: Mindfulness based interventions may be useful for patients with musculoskeletal conditions in orthopedic surgical practices as adjuncts to medical procedures or alternatives to pain medications. However, typical mindfulness programs are lengthy and impractical in busy surgical practices. We tested the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effect of a brief, 60-second mindfulness video in reducing pain and negative emotions in patients presenting to an orthopedics surgical practice.
Methods: This was an open pilot study. Twenty participants completed the Numerical Rating Scale to assess pain intensity, the State Anxiety subscale of the State Trait Anxiety Scale to assess state anxiety, and emotional thermometers to assess distress, anxiety, anger and depression immediately prior to and following the mindfulness video exercise. At the end of the exercise patients also answered three questions assessing satisfaction with the mindfulness video.
Results: Feasibility of the mindfulness video was high (100%). Usefulness, satisfaction and usability were also high. Participants showed improvements in state anxiety, pain intensity, distress, anxiety, depression and anger after watching the video. These changes were both statistically significant and clinically meaningful, when such information was available.
Conclusion: People with musculoskeletal pain seeking orthopedic care seem receptive and interested in brief mindfulness exercises that enhance comfort and calm.
KEYWORDS: Mindfulness; Orthopedic; Pain patients; Video intervention
PMID: 29299495