Mindfulness treatment for chronic low back pain in primary care settings
Official title: Group-Based Mindfulness for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain in the Primary Care
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-10694862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a mindfulness program called OPTIMUM to see if it can help people with chronic low back pain manage their pain better without using medications, and it's designed for patients visiting their primary care doctors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 28, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,573,624 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3AT010621-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10694862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults experiencing chronic low back pain who are seeking alternative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute back pain or those who do not have access to the participating healthcare sites may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based program specifically designed for patients suffering from chronic low back pain (cLBP) in primary care environments. The program, known as OPTIMUM, aims to integrate mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques into routine clinical practice to improve patient outcomes. By conducting a pragmatic clinical trial across multiple healthcare sites, the research seeks to evaluate how this nonpharmacologic approach can be effectively implemented and its impact on pain management. Patients will participate in group-based mindfulness sessions, which are intended to help them manage their pain more effectively without relying on medications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with a valuable non-drug approach to managing chronic low back pain, potentially reducing reliance on opioids.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mindfulness-based interventions can be effective for pain management, indicating a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morone, Natalia E. — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Morone, Natalia E.
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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.