The effects of mindfulness training on persistent or intermittent sub-acute pain: using the Headspace® application

Abstract

Background: Physiotherapists have recognised the benefits of incorporating psychological interventions in their treatments. This study sought to determine the usefulness of the Headspace® application that provides mindfulness training via a smartphone on pain.Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used and volunteers from a large metropolitan university who were coping with pain were encouraged to use the application for 6 weeks. Pain (severity and interference), self-reported mindfulness, usage of the application and participants perspectives of the application were examined.Results: There was a significant reduction in pain severity (p = .01, r = 0.70) and pain interference (p = .00, r = 0.81) pre–post intervention. However, there was no significant change in self-reported mindfulness pre–post intervention (p = .67, r = 0.09). The usage of the application during the intervention period varied significantly (10–674 minutes) and was not significantly correlated with pain severity (two tailed) – pre (p = .65, r = 0.10), post (p = .43, r = 0.17) or pain interference (two tailed) pre (p = .75, r = 0.07), post (p = .32, r = 0.20). The participants reported positive perceptions of the application, such as it being useful in reducing pain and its convenience.Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that the Headspace® application is beneficial in reducing Persistent or Intermittent sub-acute pain and the application could be a useful adjunct to physiotherapy interventions.