Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
Official title: Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults with Chronic Pain
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11599794 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests non-drug ways like mindfulness and self-hypnosis to help people over 60 manage chronic pain.
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 start | September 26, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $45,150 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AG079832-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11599794 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 60 and older with chronic pain who are seeking non-drug treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who have not experienced chronic pain or cannot participate in non-pharmacologic therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
As someone living with chronic pain, you may benefit from safer, non-drug options. The study uses pain tests and brain imaging to understand how mindfulness and self-hypnosis can change pain in older adults. Researchers will explore how these techniques affect brain areas involved in pain and whether personal characteristics influence outcomes. The goal is to identify who might benefit most and how to optimize these techniques for seniors. This project is led by the University of Washington and aims to improve quality of life without relying on opioids.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could gain effective, non-pharmacologic options to reduce pain and improve daily functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests mindfulness and self-hypnosis can modulate pain, but effectiveness in older adults with chronic pain requires further study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jensen, Mark P — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Jensen, Mark P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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-
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-
Mindfulness and Self-Hypnosis for Pain in Older Adults
A non-drug program using mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis is being studied to help Americans aged 60 and up manage chronic pain.
-
Mindfulness and self-hypnosis to ease chronic pain in older adults
This project tests whether mindfulness meditation and self-hypnosis can reduce chronic pain and change brain activity in people aged 60 and older.
-
Mindfulness combined with open-label placebo for chronic pain
This project tests whether adding an open-label placebo to a mindfulness program helps adults with chronic pain reduce pain and improve daily functioning.
-
Virtual Reality Mindfulness Training for Veterans with SCI and Chronic Pain
A mindfulness program delivered through virtual reality is being explored to help veterans with spinal cord injury live with less pain and better daily functioning.
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.