The effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction on reducing anxiety sensitivity in patients with chronic pain

Attention to psychological issues can contribute to improving the health of patients with chronic pain. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction on anxiety sensitivity in patient with chronic pain.
In the frame of single subject design among patients with chronic pain who referring to Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran, 3 patients were selected through convenient sampling and based on inclusion and exclusion criteria received mindfulness-based stress reduction training for 8 sessions. Patients were evaluated 6 times by Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory (Taylor & Cox, 1998) during therapy and 1 month follow up. Data were analyzed using the indices for trend changes, slope and the visual inspection of the charts, the recovery percent index and effect size were used to determine the clinical significance.
The results showed a steady decrease in the scores of the anxiety sensitivity scales (x̄=20/08, ES=0/67) and the subscales of Fear of cardiovascular-gastro intestinal symptoms (x̄=17, ES=0/69), Fear of respiratory symptoms (x̄=13/33, ES=0/80), Fear of visible anxiety reactions in public (x̄=12/33, ES=0/73) and Fear of lack of cognitive inhibition (x̄=7/33, ES=0/67) which indicated the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction training in reducing these variables in patients with chronic pain.
According to the role of psychological factors as predisposing, precipitating and continuation of chronic pain, education of mindfulness-based stress reduction could reduce anxiety sensitivity play an important role as a supportive and rehabilitation treatment along with medical treatments.