Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Apr 17, 2026
Date Accepted: Aug 10, 2026
Feasibility of a Virtual Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention for Individuals with Chronic Pain: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Chronic pain (CP) is a complex and prevalent public health condition that significantly impacts physical functioning, psychological well-being, and quality of life. Traditional biomedical treatments often provide limited relief, highlighting the need for integrative approaches. Biopsychosocial interventions, such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), have shown promise in improving pain-related outcomes by targeting cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes associated with CP.
Objective:
This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a virtual MBSR intervention for individuals with CP.
Methods:
We conducted a single blinded, randomized, pilot trial in which the outcome assessor, investigator remained blinded while participants were aware of their allocation. Sixty-one participants with CP were randomly assigned to either an 8-week virtual MBSR program or a control group receiving usual care. Primary outcome was feasibility, assessed through recruitment, retention, and adherence rates. Secondary outcomes included pain disability, chronic pain acceptance, pain catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy, health-related quality of life (PROMIS-29, PROMIS-10), pain intensity, and global impression of change.
Results:
A recruitment rate of 23.5% and a retention rate of 61.6% indicated challenges in enrollment and completion. Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated that the MBSR group (n=30) had significant reductions in pain disability compared to the control group (n= 31), alongside improvements in PROMIS-29 pain interference, and PROMIS-10 physical health. No statistically significant changes were observed in pain catastrophizing, pain self-efficacy, chronic pain acceptance or other PROMIS subsets. Participants in the MBSR group also reported a significant improvement in their global impression of change for pain self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
This pilot study highlights feasibility challenges for virtual MBSR in CP. Participants demonstrated preliminary improvements in pain disability and interference. Lessons from this trial inform a planned large-scale study incorporating targeted outreach and participant support to enhance engagement and minimize attrition. Clinical Trial: NCT04842097
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