The relationship of cognitive therapy and mindfulness meditation for the treatment of chronic pain

The problem. The purpose of this critical review of the literature was to show that mindfulness meditation deserves consideration as an important component of a cognitive-behavioral approach to the treatment of chronic pain. An explanation was provided to explain how the practice of mindfulness meditation may enable an individual to better tolerate the chronic pain experience. This was accomplished by investigating first, the cognitive elements that contribute to an individual's experience of chronic pain. Second, the cognitive aspects of the mindfulness meditation practice were investigated. Finally, an explanation linking mindfulness meditation to chronic pain was provided.;Method. The literature reviewed included both empirical studies and theoretical papers. The review was organized in the following manner. First, the psychological factors which contribute to an individual's perception of chronic pain were reviewed. These included cognitive factors, affective components, and self-efficacy as it relates to pain tolerance. Second, the use of meditation in psychotherapy was presented. Finally, the literature on the use of mindfulness meditation to treat chronic pain was discussed. Chapter 3 provides conclusions linking mindfulness meditation to chronic pain tolerance, and discusses the problems with the research.;Results. The review shows that cognitive factors play an important role in chronic pain, that mindfulness meditation is, in many ways, a cognitive restructuring technique, and that there are sound reasons for the fact that mindfulness meditation changes one's experience of chronic pain. Finally, it demonstrated that mindfulness meditation deserves a place as a part of a cognitive-behavioral treatment program for chronic pain.