Internet-delivered mindfulness for people with depression and chronic pain following spinal cord injury: A randomized, controlled feasibility trial

This research summary can be incorporated into a lecture or shared with students as a reading to demonstrate how psychological science explores the diversity of human experience. This resource can also be used to encourage students to identify the major components of a research study (i.e., the hypothesis or study question, sample, method, and findings). Students can be asked to identify potential limitations of the study and encouraged to discuss the implications for our understanding of human behavior. Keywords highlight how concepts within and across pillars are incorporated into a single research study.

This study explored whether an 8-week online mindfulness program would be more helpful for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who were struggling with chronic pain than psychoeducation (an intervention that involves providing people with information about SCI and chronic pain to help them better understand their experience). The researchers predicted that people who participated in the mindfulness program would report better psychological wellbeing and quality of life compared to those who received psychoeducation.

Participants were 67 individuals living in the U.K. who had SCI related to varying levels and causes of injury. Participants were randomly assigned to the mindfulness or the psychoeducation condition. People in the mindfulness condition had access to audio and video meditation and awareness practices designed to take about 20 minutes to complete twice daily (i.e., 960 minutes of total practice). The psychoeducation group received weekly emails with educational materials about SCI and pain management. All participants were asked to complete questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, quality of life, pain catastrophizing (tendency to focus on and magnify pain sensations), and mindfulness skills before, immediately after, and 3 months following completion of the intervention.

The mindfulness group reported greater reductions in depression, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing compared to the psychoeducation group. These improvements were maintained 3 months later. Increased mindfulness skills were seen in the meditation group. Dropout rates were high (28% mindfulness, 16% education), with older participants and those with more severe depression being more likely to discontinue.

Mindfulness training shows promise as a complementary therapy to help people with SCI manage the mental toll of their injuries. However, the intensive time commitment (20 minutes, 2x/day) may be a barrier for some, highlighting the need for accessible and targeted programs. Future studies should work on ensuring mindfulness interventions for people with SCI are accessible and engaging enough for them to participate consistently.

Hearn, J. H., & Finlay, K. A. (2018). Internet-delivered mindfulness for people with depression and chronic pain following spinal cord injury: A randomized, controlled feasibility trial. Spinal Cord, 56(8), 750–761. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41393-018-0090-2

Biological, Central Nervous System, Mindfulness, Mental Health, Psychological Treatment, Therapies, Neuroscience

The development of resources to broaden diversity and representation in the teaching of high school psychology resources is an APA Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools initiative supported by funding from the American Psychological Foundation David and Carol Myers Fund. This resource was developed by Kara Ayers, PhD; Emily Lund, PhD; Erika Sanborne; and Allison Shaver.