An interesting study was carried out to see how effective mindfulness meditation would be for older adults who suffer with chronic lower back pain.  Among older adults, this is a common problem that can have devastating consequences. Traditional pain therapies have their limitations and side-effects. The study wished to see if mindfulness meditation, as a non-invasive method not requiring any special equipment, could contribute to the treatment of this problem.  There are significant psychological and cognitive fac­tors which contribute to the pain inten­sity and disability associated with this chronic pain. The researchers wished to see if the MBSR Programme could be adhered to by this age group and whether it could help with the perception and tolerance of pain, along with the associated stress.

Participants were 37 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older with chronic lower back pain of moderate intensity occurring daily or almost every day. Participants were randomized to the 8-week mindfulness-based meditation program or to a wait-list control group. After the 8 weeks, the intervention group displayed significant improvement in pain acceptance and physical function. Furthermore, the majority of participants continued to meditate at 3-month follow-up suggesting that they had incorporated meditation into their daily lives and may indicate that they experienced ongoing benefit from mindfulness meditation.

As a result of this study, it is argued that integrative mind-body therapies such as the MBSR program are a promising, non-pharmacologic, addition to current pain treatment for older adults.

Natalia E. Morone, Carol M. Greco, and Debra K. Weiner. Mindfulness meditation for the treatment of chronic low back pain in older adults: A randomized controlled pilot study, Pain. January 2008. Vol. 134. Pp. 310-319.