Mindfulness meditation for older adults with chronic low back pain
Mindfulness-based Meditation for Older Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain Based on the Gut-brain Axis: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
This study is testing whether mindfulness meditation can help older adults with chronic low back pain feel better and improve their gut health.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 66 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years to 89 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Florida State University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Tallahassee, Florida) |
| Trial ID | NCT06384001 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to recruit 66 community-dwelling older adults aged 50 and older who experience chronic low back pain. Participants will be assigned to either an active mindfulness-based meditation (MBM) intervention or a sham MBM group for 8 weeks. The study will assess the effects of the MBM intervention on pain levels and symptoms, as well as its impact on the Gut-Brain Axis. The researchers hypothesize that the active intervention will be more effective than the sham group in improving pain and gut microbiota profiles.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling older adults aged 50 and older with moderate chronic low back pain.
Not a fit: Patients with serious underlying illnesses or other chronic pain conditions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide a non-pharmacological approach to managing chronic low back pain in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with mindfulness-based interventions for pain management, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. aged 50 years older 2. intact cognition (examined by the Mini-Mental State Exam, ≥ 24) 3. experiencing moderate low back pain daily or almost every day at least the previous three months (≥3 out of 10 on numeric rating scale \[NRS\]) 4. able to speak and read English 5. not intent to change medication regimens for pain throughout the trial Exclusion Criteria: 1. serious underlying illness (e.g., malignant neoplasms, bloodborne illness, low blood platelet count, been in chemotherapy) 2. psychosis 3. function limitation precluded the meditation practice 4. participated meditation program before 5. no access to the internet
Where this trial is running
Tallahassee, Florida
- Florida State University — Tallahassee, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jie Chen
- Email: jc22db@fsu.edu
- Phone: (850) 645-0657
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.