The principal results of the first completed Pain Management Collaboratory clinical trial has been published. The study authors report that two relatively low-resource, telehealth-delivered mindfulness interventions resulted in meaningful reductions in pain interference, or the extent to which pain is perceived as interfering with daily functioning. Improvement in several other areas (e.g., mental health, physical health, social functioning) suggest broad benefits in enhancing overall quality of life. Over 800 Veterans participated in the trial, including many over age 55. Mindfulness-based interventions, which are evidence-based treatments for chronic pain, helps people pay attention in a kind, non-judgmental way to what is happening in the present moment, through a variety of practices such as meditation, mindful movement, and self-compassion. In his Invited Commentary, Dr. Dan Churkin concluded: “It is heartening to learn that veterans have access to care from a system that is dedicated to addressing their most fundamental needs through research like this RCT by Burgess and colleagues.”

The Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Pain: The LAMP Randomized Clinical Trial study results encourage widespread adoption of these approaches in routine clinical care settings in the Veterans Health Administration.

To view the Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Chronic Pain: The LAMP Randomized Clinical Trial article, click on the link below.