How mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis can help older adults manage chronic pain
Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults with Chronic Pain
This study is looking at how mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis can help older adults with chronic pain feel better without using medications, by seeing how these practices affect the brain while they’re being monitored.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11223846 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis as non-drug treatments for chronic pain in older adults. By using experimental pain paradigms, the study aims to understand how these techniques can alter brain mechanisms related to pain perception. Participants will engage in mindfulness and self-hypnosis practices while their brain activity is monitored, helping to identify which patients may benefit most from these interventions. The goal is to provide safer alternatives to opioid medications for managing chronic pain in individuals aged 60 and older.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 60 and above who experience chronic pain.
Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing chronic pain or are younger than 60 years old may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide older adults with effective, non-pharmacological options for managing chronic pain, reducing reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results for mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis in pain management, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jensen, Mark P — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Jensen, Mark P
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.