Capacity to Describe Inner Experiences Predicts Lower Pain-Related Mind-Wandering during a Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Task in People with Chronic Pain

Abstract

Introduction/Aim: Pain-related mind-wandering (PRMW) may facilitate pain and disability in people with chronic pain. This study explored mindfulness skills that predict lower PRMW during mindfulness meditation (MM). Methods: 133 participants (AgeM = 20.5 years, SD = 3.74; Male = 45) were classified into groups: 1-Chronic pain (CP; n = 35) based on self-reported CP diagnoses, 2-Depressive-anxious (DA; n = 67) based on severe symptoms on the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression subscale (≥21) or Beck Anxiety Inventory (≥36), or 3-Controls (n = 31) if neither CP nor DA criteria applied. Participants completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) assessing mindfulness skills: observing experiences, describing internal experiences (Describe), acting with awareness, non-judgement and non-reactivity. Participants practiced breath-focused MM on a smartphone (~12-minutes) and pressed “breath” or “other” buttons at the sound of tones if awareness was on breathing or another experience, respectively. The Mind-Wandering Inventory was completed post-MM using 3 items: awareness of bodily pain, thoughts about pain, and other unpleasant sensations. Pearson correlations were conducted between FFMQ and PRMW. Results: Amongst all correlations, only Describe significantly predicted PRMW for CP (r = −0.46, p < 0.01), DA (r = 0.25, p < 0.05), and controls (r = 0.37, p < 0.05). CP participants had significantly higher % breath responses than the other groups. Discussion/Conclusions: The mindfulness skill of describing inner experiences may be a vital component of mindfulness-based pain treatments.