Raluca IGNA*1, Simona ŞTEFAN1, Ioan ONAC2, Ioana ONAC2, Rodica-Ana UNGUR2, Aurora SZENTAGOTAI TATAR1
1 Department of Clinical Psychology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
The present clinical trial aimed to compare mindfulness-based CBT (MCBT), VR-enhanced CBT, and treatment as usual, in terms of effectiveness and mechanisms of change. Outcomes referred to intensity of pain, associated emotional (e.g. anxiety, depression, anger) and cognitive (e.g. catastrophizing, absolutistic beliefs, rumination, fear of pain) problems, and vitality/quality of life. General irrational beliefs, pain-related irrational beliefs and awareness and pain-acceptance were introduced as mediators in the mechanisms of change analysis. A total of 68 patients participated in this trial (18 in the MCBT group, 25 in the CBT group and 25 in the control group – PHM). Results show that only the level of pain was significantly lower in the MCBT group than in the PHM group, but the results were not different from the CBT group. Effects were not mediated by the hypothesized variables. Clinical implications are further discussed.
Keywords: chronic back pain, cognitive-behavioral treatment of chronic back pain, mindfulness, mindfulness-based interventions for chronic back pain.
