27-09-2022 | ORIGINAL PAPER
Flow Meditation Improves Emotion Regulation and Pain Management in Female Fibromyalgia Patients
Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 10/2022
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Objectives
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a multifaceted psychosomatic pain condition associated with psychiatric comorbidity such as depression, anxiety, emotional stress, and coping problems. Negative cognitions and difficulties in emotional regulation can increase and amplify pain. The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of a second-generation mindfulness-based intervention known as Flow Meditation (Meditación-Fluir) on different variables (i.e., catastrophizing, coping strategies, and emotional intelligence) related to emotion regulation and pain management in individuals with FMS.
Methods
Forty-four women diagnosed with fibromyalgia were randomly allocated to a 7-week Flow Meditation group intervention (intervention group; n = 22) or waiting-list control group (n = 22). Measures were taken at three different times: pretest, post-test, and 3-month follow-up.
Results
Findings revealed significant improvements in pain catastrophizing (rumination, magnification, and helplessness), adaptive coping strategies (active versus passive), and emotional intelligence, which were maintained until the 3-month follow-up assessment. Effect sizes range from moderate to high, most notably for the Rumination and Despair components of pain catastrophizing, and for emotional intelligence.
Conclusions
Flow Meditation shows promise for alleviating negative distorted thinking and improving adaptive coping as part of pain management in female fibromyalgia patients.