ONLINE MINDFULNESS INTERVENTION FOR CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN (CLBP): FINDINGS FROM A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability with significant repercussions on the psychological and socio-economic status of patients. Mindfulness may help reducing symptoms such as stress and depression. The aim of our preliminary study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an online-administered mindfulness stress reduction program (MBSR) in patients with lumbosacral localized pain either with or without sciatic radiation. During the first two months of 2022 patients with CLBP (n=7) were recruited in S. Chiara’s Hospital, Pisa. Psychological testing was administered before the first session of MBSR, and it is scheduled at the end of the intervention. The measurements concerned mindfulness (FFMQ; MAAS), resilience and self-compassion (RS-14; SCS), pain (VAS; QUID) and pain attitude (TSK 11), disability (ODI-2.0), sleep quality (PSQI), depression (BDI-II), stress (PSS) and anxiety (STAI Y). Our preliminary findings show that a high perception of pain matches with lower resilience, self-compassion, and awareness of the present moment, confirming the need to apply interventions based on contemplative practices for these patients. From the post-test results we expect an improvement in sleep quality and lowered levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.