The feasibility and acceptability of an online mindfulness-based stress reduction program for chronic musculoskeletal pain

Authors

  • Anita Amorim University of Sydney
  • Trudy Rebbeck University of Sydney
  • Charlotte Johnstone Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
  • Nicholas T. Van Dam University of Melbourne
  • Claire Ashton-James University of Sydney
  • Nathalia Costa University of Sydney
  • Talia Barnet-Hepples University of Sydney
  • Matthew Jennings South Western Sydney Local Health District
  • Kathryn Refshauge University of Sydney
  • Evangelos Pappas University of Wollongong

Abstract

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a challenging condition affecting millions of people worldwide and places a significant burden on individuals and the healthcare systems. Managing this condition requires a multidisciplinary approach considering biological, psychological, and social factors. However, access to multidisciplinary pain care is challenging, and long wait times can lead to increased stress and health deterioration. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a mind-body approach developed specifically to reduce the distress of living with chronic conditions, such as chronic musculoskeletal pain. Offering an online MBSR program to patients on waitlists to attend a multidisciplinary pain clinic in Australia's public healthcare system could provide these patients with much-needed psychosocial support. Here, we report a pilot study design with a mixed-methods approach, including participants recruited from waitlists at two metropolitan hospitals part of the Sydney Local Health District in New South Wales, Australia. This pilot trial includes 32 individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain randomly assigned to either an online MBSR or a control group. Feasibility outcomes, patient-reported outcome measures, adherence to mindfulness practice, and adverse events were assessed using validated questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in the MBSR group to explore their experiences and assess acceptability, barriers, and facilitators of engagement with the intervention. Findings from this study demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of this novel approach and preliminary efficacy in terms of patient-reported outcomes, which guides the design of future fully powered clinical trials with more extensive and diverse participant pools. This study is a foundational step toward integrating an online MBSR program into the Australian public healthcare system to improve access to stress management for individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Published

2025-01-23

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Oral Presentations