Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mindfulness Meditation Alleviates Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Women: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Several recent reviews have evaluated evidence on the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) among fibromyalgia sufferers, and concluded that more research should test effects on both psychological and physiological functioning.

Purpose

We conducted a randomized prospective trial of MBSR among female fibromyalgia patients.

Methods

Effects on perceived stress, pain, sleep quality, fatigue, symptom severity, and salivary cortisol were tested in treatment (n = 51) versus wait-list control participants (n = 40) using data at baseline, post-program, and 2-month follow-up.

Results

Analyses revealed that MBSR significantly reduced perceived stress, sleep disturbance, and symptom severity, with gains maintained at follow-up. Greater home practice at follow-up was associated with reduced symptom severity. MBSR did not significantly alter pain, physical functioning, or cortisol profiles.

Conclusion

MBSR ameliorated some of the major symptoms of fibromyalgia and reduced subjective illness burden. Further exploration of MBSR effects on physiological stress responses is warranted. These results support use of MBSR as a complementary treatment for women with fibromyalgia (ISRCTN: 34628811).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles M-A, et al. The American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity. Arthritis Care Res. 2010; 62(5): 600-610. doi:10.1002/acr.20140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Bennett RM, Jones J, Turk DC, Russell IJ, Matallana L. An internet survey of 2,596 people with fibromyalgia. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2007; 8(1): 27. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-8-27.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Rutledge DN, Jones K, Jones CJ. Predicting high physical function in people with fibromyalgia. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2007; 39(4): 319-324. doi:10.1111/j.1547-5069.2007.00187.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Shillam CR, Dupree Jones K, Miller L. Fibromyalgia symptoms, physical function, and comorbidity in middle-aged and older adults. Nurs. Res. 2011;1: doi:10.1097/NNR.0b013e31822bbdfa.

  5. Crofford LJ. Violence, stress, and somatic syndromes. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2007; 8(3): 299-313. doi:10.1177/1524838007303196.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Van Houdenhove BV, Egle U, Luyten P. The role of life stress in fibromyalgia. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2005; 7(5): 365-370. doi:10.1007/s11926-005-0021-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Mease P. Fibromyalgia syndrome: review of clinical presentation, pathogenesis, outcome measures, and treatment. J Rheumatol. 2005; 75: 6-21.

    Google Scholar 

  8. McCain GA, Tilbe KS. Diurnal hormone variation in fibromyalgia syndrome: a comparison with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol Suppl. 1989; 19: 154-157.

  9. Weissbecker I, Salmon P, Studts JL, Floyd AR, Dedert EA, Sephton SE. Mindfulness-based stress reduction and sense of coherence among women with fibromyalgia. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2002; 9(4): 297-307. doi:10.1023/A:1020786917988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. McLean SA, Williams DA, Harris RE, et al. Momentary relationship between cortisol secretion and symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum. 2005; 52(11): 3660-3669. doi:10.1002/art.21372.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Korszun A. Sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in fibromyalgia. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2000; 2(2): 124-130. doi:10.1007/s11926-000-0052-4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hellhammer DH, Wüst S, Kudielka BM. Salivary cortisol as a biomarker in stress research. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2009; 34(2): 163-171. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.10.026.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Wilhelm I, Born J, Kudielka BM, Schlotz W, Wüst S. Is the cortisol awakening rise a response to awakening? Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2007; 32(4): 358-366. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.01.008.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Pruessner JC, Hellhammer DH, Kirschbaum C. Burnout, perceived stress, and cortisol responses to awakening. Psychosom Med. 1999; 61(2): 197-204.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Kunz-Ebrecht SR, Kirschbaum C, Marmot M, Steptoe A. Differences in cortisol awakening response on work days and weekends in women and men from the Whitehall II cohort. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004; 29(4): 516-528. doi:10.1016/S0306-4530(03)00072-6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Hellhammer J, Fries E, Schweisthal OW, Schlotz W, Stone AA, Hagemann D. Several daily measurements are necessary to reliably assess the cortisol rise after awakening: state- and trait components. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2007; 32(1): 80-86. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2006.10.005.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Riva R, Mork PJ, Westgaard RH, Rø M, Lundberg U. Fibromyalgia syndrome is associated with hypocortisolism. Int J Behav Med. 2010; 17(3): 223-233. doi:10.1007/s12529-010-9097-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Riva R, Mork PJ, Westgaard RH, Lundberg U. Comparison of the cortisol awakening response in women with shoulder and neck pain and women with fibromyalgia. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2012; 37(2): 299-306. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.06.014.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Curtis K, Osadchuk A, Katz J. An eight-week yoga intervention is associated with improvements in pain, psychological functioning and mindfulness, and changes in cortisol levels in women with fibromyalgia. J Pain Res. 2011; 4: 189-201. doi:10.2147/JPR.S22761.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Carlson LE, Speca M, Faris P, Patel KD. One year pre-post intervention follow-up of psychological, immune, endocrine and blood pressure outcomes of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Brain Behav Immun. 2007; 21(8): 1038-1049. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2007.04.002.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Carlson LE, Garland SN. Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on sleep, mood, stress and fatigue symptoms in cancer outpatients. Int J Behav Med. 2005; 12(4): 278-285. doi:10.1207/s15327558ijbm1204_9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Crofford LJ, Appleton BE. The treatment of fibromyalgia: a review of clinical trials. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2000; 2(2): 101-103. doi:10.1007/s11926-000-0048-0.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Crofford LJ. Pain management in fibromyalgia. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2008; 20(3): 246-250. doi:10.1097/BOR.0b013e3282fb0268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Glombiewski JA, Sawyer AT, Gutermann J, Koenig K, Rief W, Hofmann SG. Psychological treatments for fibromyalgia: a meta-analysis. PAIN. 2010; 151(2): 280-295. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2010.06.011.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Goldenberg DL, Burckhardt C, Crofford L. Management of fibromyalgia syndrome. JAMA. 2004; 292(19): 2388-2395. doi:10.1001/jama.292.19.2388.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kabat-Zinn J. Mindfulness-based interventions in context: past, present, and future. Clin Psychol Sci Pract. 2003; 10(2): 144-156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Keng S-L, Smoski MJ, Robins CJ. Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011; 31(6): 1041-1056. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Shapiro SL. The integration of mindfulness and psychology. J Clin Psychol. 2009; 65(6): 555-560. doi:10.1002/jclp.20602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Bohlmeijer E, Prenger R, Taal E, Cuijpers P. The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on mental health of adults with a chronic medical disease: a meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res. 2010; 68(6): 539-544. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.10.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Matousek RH, Dobkin PL, Pruessner J. Cortisol as a marker for improvement in mindfulness-based stress reduction. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2010; 16(1): 13-19. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.06.004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Sephton SE, Salmon P, Weissbecker I, et al. Mindfulness meditation alleviates depressive symptoms in women with fibromyalgia: results of a randomized clinical trial. Arthritis Care Res. 2007; 57(1): 77-85. doi:10.1002/art.22478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Grossman P, Tiefenthaler-Gilmer U, Raysz A, Kesper U. Mindfulness training as an intervention for fibromyalgia: evidence of postintervention and 3-year follow-up benefits in well-being. Psychother Psychosom. 2007; 76(4): 226-233.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Schmidt S, Grossman P, Schwarzer B, Jena S, Naumann J, Walach H. Treating fibromyalgia with mindfulness-based stress reduction: results from a 3-armed randomized controlled trial. PAIN. 2011; 152(2): 361-369. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2010.10.043.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Lush E, Salmon P, Floyd A, Studts JL, Weissbecker I, Sephton SE. Mindfulness meditation for symptom reduction in fibromyalgia: psychophysiological correlates. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2009; 16(2): 200-207. doi:10.1007/s10880-009-9153-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Kaplan KH, Goldenberg DL, Galvin-Nadeau M. The impact of a meditation-based stress reduction program on fibromyalgia. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 1993; 15(5): 284-289. doi:10.1016/0163-8343(93)90020-O.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Goldenberg DL, Kaplan KH, Nadeau MG, Brodeur C, Smith S, Schmid CH. A controlled study of a stress-reduction, cognitive-behavioral treatment program in fibromyalgia. J Musculoskelet Pain. 1994; 2(2): 53-66. doi:10.1300/J094v02n02_05.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Shapiro SL, Carlson LE, Astin JA, Freedman B. Mechanisms of mindfulness. J Clin Psychol. 2006; 62(3): 373-386. doi:10.1002/jclp.20237.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Salmon P, Sephton S, Weissbecker I, Hoover K, Ulmer C, Studts JL. Mindfulness meditation in clinical practice. Cogn Behav Pract. 2004; 11(4): 434-446. doi:10.1016/S1077-7229(04)80060-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Beck AT, Steer RA, Carbin MG. Psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory: twenty-five years of evaluation. Clin Psychol Rev. 1988; 8(1): 77-100. doi:10.1016/0272-7358(88)90050-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Bernstein DP, Fink L. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire: A Retrospective Self-Report: Manual. Harcourt Brace & Company; 1998.

  41. Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav. 1983; 24(4): 385. doi:10.2307/2136404.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Callahan LF, Brooks RH, Summey JA, Pincus T. Quantitative pain assessment for routine care of rheumatoid arthritis patients, using a pain scale based on activities of daily living and a visual analog pain scale. Arthritis Rheum. 1987; 30(6): 630-636. doi:10.1002/art.1780300605.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Douglass A, Bornstein R, Nino-Murcia G, et al. Sleep disorders questionnaire. Sleep. 1994; 17(2): 160-167.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Hann DM, Jacobsen PB, Azzarello LM, et al. Measurement of fatigue in cancer patients: development and validation of the fatigue symptom inventory. Qual Life Res. 1998; 7(4): 301-310. doi:10.1023/A:1024929829627.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Burckhardt CS, Clark SR, Bennett RM, et al. The fibromyalgia impact questionnaire: development and validation. J Rheumatol. 1991; 18(5): 728-33.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Bennett R. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ): a review of its development, current version, operating characteristics and uses. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2005; 23(5): S154.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Kirschbaum C, Hellhammer DH. Salivary cortisol in psychoneuroendocrine research: recent developments and applications. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1994; 19(4): 313-333. doi:10.1016/0306-4530(94)90013-2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Pledger GW. Basic statistics: importance of compliance. J Clin Res Pharmacoepidemiol. 1992; 6(2): 77-81.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Friedman LM, Furberg C, DeMets DL. Fundamentals of Clinical Trials. New York, NY: Springer; 2010. Available at: http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-1-4419-1586-3.pdf. Accessed September 5, 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Lachin JM. Statistical considerations in the intent-to-treat principle. Control Clin Trials. 2000; 21(3): 167-189. doi:10.1016/S0197-2456(00)00046-5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Lambert MJ, ed. Bergin and Garfield’s Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change. 5th ed. New York, NY: Wiley; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Hughes JW, Fresco DM, Myerscough R, van Dulmen HM, Carlson LE, Josephson R. Randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for prehypertension. Psychosom Med. 2013; 75(8): 721-728. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e3182a3e4e5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Salmon P, Sephton S, Dreeben, S. Mindfulness-based stress reduction. In: Herbert JD, Forman E, eds. Acceptance and mindfulness in cognitive behavioral therapy. NJ: Wiley; 2011.

  54. Kraemer H, Wilson G, Fairburn CG, Agras W. Mediators and moderators of treatment effects in randomized clinical trials. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002; 59(10): 877-883. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.59.10.877.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Offenbaecher M, Glatzeder K, Ackenheil M. Self-reported depression, familial history of depression and fibromyalgia (FM), and psychological distress in patients with FM. Z Für Rheumatol. 1998; 57(2): S94-S96. doi:10.1007/s003930050245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Thieme K, Turk DC, Flor H. Comorbid depression and anxiety in fibromyalgia syndrome: relationship to somatic and psychosocial variables. Psychosom Med. 2004; 66(6): 837-844.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Teasdale JD, Segal ZV, Mark J, Ridgeway VA, Soulsby JM, Lau MA. Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2000; 68(4): 615-623. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.68.4.615.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Astin JA, Berman BM, Bausell B, Lee W-L, Hochberg M, Forys KL. The efficacy of mindfulness meditation plus Qigong movement therapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial. J Rheumatol. 2003; 30(10): 2257-2262.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Rosenzweig S, Greeson JM, Reibel DK, Green JS, Jasser SA, Beasley D. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for chronic pain conditions: variation in treatment outcomes and role of home meditation practice. J Psychosom Res. 2010; 68(1): 29-36. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.03.010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Singh BB, Berman BM, Hadhazy VA, Creamer P. A pilot study of cognitive behavioral therapy in fibromyalgia. Altern Ther Health Med. 1998; 4(2): 67-70.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Chiesa A, Serretti A. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for stress management in healthy people: a review and meta-analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 2009; 15(5): 593-600. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0495.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Musial F, Büssing A, Heusser P, Choi K-E, Ostermann T. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for integrative cancer care—a summary of evidence. Forsch Komplementärmedizin Res Complement Med. 2011; 18(4): 192-202. doi:10.1159/000330714.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Hölzel BK, Lazar SW, Gard T, Schuman-Olivier Z, Vago DR, Ott U. How does mindfulness meditation work? Proposing mechanisms of action from a conceptual and neural perspective. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2011; 6(6): 537-559. doi:10.1177/1745691611419671.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Ditto B, Eclache M, Goldman N. Short-term autonomic and cardiovascular effects of mindfulness body scan meditation. Ann Behav Med. 2006; 32(3): 227-234. doi:10.1207/s15324796abm3203_9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Pace TWW, Negi LT, Adame DD, et al. Effect of compassion meditation on neuroendocrine, innate immune and behavioral responses to psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2009; 34(1): 87-98. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.08.011.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Carlson LE, Speca M, Patel KD, Goodey E. Mindfulness-based stress reduction in relation to quality of life, mood, symptoms of stress, and immune parameters in breast and prostate cancer outpatients. Psychosom Med. 2003; 65(4): 571-581. doi:10.1097/01.PSY.0000074003.35911.41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Davidson RJ, Kabat-Zinn J, Schumacher J, et al. Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation. Psychosom Med. 2003; 65(4): 564-570.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Baer RA. Self-focused attention and mechanisms of change in mindfulness-based treatment. Cogn Behav Ther. 2009; 38(sup1): 15-20. doi:10.1080/16506070902980703.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Shapiro SL, Astin JA, Bishop SR, Cordova M. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for health care professionals: results from a randomized trial. Int J Stress Manag. 2005; 12(2): 164-176. doi:10.1037/1072-5245.12.2.164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Jain S, Shapiro SL, Swanick S, et al. A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction. Ann Behav Med. 2007; 33(1): 11-21. doi:10.1207/s15324796abm3301_2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Teasdale JD. Emotional processing, three modes of mind and the prevention of relapse in depression. Behav Res Ther. 1999; 37(Supplement 1): S53-S77. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(99)00050-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Garland E, Gaylord S, Park J. The role of mindfulness in positive reappraisal. EXPLORE J Sci Heal. 2009; 5(1): 37-44. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2008.10.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Alan B, Shapiro SL. Mental balance and well-being: building bridges between Buddhism and western psychology. Am Psychol. 2006; 61(7): 690-701. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.61.7.690.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Hofmann SG, Asmundson GJG. Acceptance and mindfulness-based therapy: new wave or old hat? Clin Psychol Rev. 2008; 28(1): 1-16. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2007.09.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Lazarus RS, Folkman S. Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company; 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Narkiewicz K, van de Borne P, Montano N, Hering D, Kara T, Somers VK. Sympathetic neural outflow and chemoreflex sensitivity are related to spontaneous breathing rate in normal men. Hypertens. 2006; 47(1): 51-55. doi:10.1161/01.HYP.0000197613.47649.02.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Lehrer PM, Woolfolk RL, Sime WE. Principles and Practice of Stress Management, Third Edition. New York, NY: Guilford Press; 2007.

  78. Khalsa SB. Yoga as a therapeutic intervention: a bibliometric analysis of published research studies. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2004; 48(3): 269-285.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Moher D, Schulz KF, Altman DG. The CONSORT statement: revised recommendations for improving the quality of reports of parallel group randomized trials. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2001; 1(1): 2.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Yunus MB, Arslan S, Aldag JC. Relationship between fibromyalgia features and smoking. Scand J Rheumatol. 2002; 31(5): 301-305. doi:10.1080/030097402760375214.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Shapiro SL, Oman D, Thoresen CE, Plante TG, Flinders T. Cultivating mindfulness: effects on well-being. J Clin Psychol. 2008; 64(7): 840-862. doi:10.1002/jclp.20491.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Baer RA, Smith GT, Allen KB. Assessment of mindfulness by self-report the Kentucky inventory of mindfulness skills. Assess. 2004; 11(3): 191-206. doi:10.1177/1073191104268029.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. Brown KW, Ryan RM. The benefits of being present: mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003; 84(4): 822-848. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Chadwick P, Hember M, Symes J, Peters E, Kuipers E, Dagnan D. Responding mindfully to unpleasant thoughts and images: reliability and validity of the Southampton mindfulness questionnaire (SMQ). Br J Clin Psychol. 2008; 47(4): 451-455. doi:10.1348/014466508X314891.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Carmody J, Baer RA, LB Lykins E, Olendzki N. An empirical study of the mechanisms of mindfulness in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program. J Clin Psychol. 2009; 65(6): 613-626. doi:10.1002/jclp.20579.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Kilpatrick LA, et al. Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on intrinsic brain connectivity. Neuroimage 2011;56(1): 290-298.

  87. Salmon P, Lush E, Jablonski M, Sephton SE (2008) Yoga and Mindfulness: Clinical Aspects of an Ancient Mind/Body Practice. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice. doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2008.07.002.

  88. Sampalli T, Berlasso E, Fox R, Petter M. A controlled study of the effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction technique in women with multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. J Multidiscip Healthc. 2009; 2: 53-59.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This was an investigator-initiated study funded by faculty startup monies awarded to S.E.S by the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. A.F. was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute. L.A.Z. was supported by a doctoral fellowship from the University of Louisville School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. S.E.S. was supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Mental Health. E.D. was supported by a Career Development Award-2 from the Clinical Science Research and Development Service of the VA Office of Research and Development. The funders played no role in the design, conduct or analysis of the study, nor in the interpretation and reporting of the study findings. The researchers were independent from the funders. All authors, external and internal, had full access to all of the data (including statistical reports and tables) in the study and can take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Authors’ Statement of Conflict of Interest and Adherence to Ethical Standards

Author Elizabeth Cash, Author Paul Salmon, Author Inka Weissbecker, Author Whitney N. Rebholz, Author Rene Bayley-Veloso, Author Lauren Zimmaro, Author Andrea Floyd, Author Eric Dedert, and Author Sandra E. Sephton declare that they have no conflict of interest. All procedures, including the informed consent process, were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA

    Elizabeth Cash PhD

  2. James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Louisville, KY, USA

    Elizabeth Cash PhD & Sandra E. Sephton PhD

  3. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, 2301 South Third Street, Life Sciences Building, Suite 317, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA

    Elizabeth Cash PhD, Paul Salmon PhD, Whitney N. Rebholz MA, René Bayley-Veloso BA, Lauren A. Zimmaro BA & Sandra E. Sephton PhD

  4. International Medical Corps UK, London, UK

    Inka Weissbecker PhD, MPH

  5. Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA

    Andrea Floyd PhD

  6. Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Eric Dedert PhD

  7. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    Eric Dedert PhD

Authors
  1. Elizabeth Cash PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Paul Salmon PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Inka Weissbecker PhD, MPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Whitney N. Rebholz MA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. René Bayley-Veloso BA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Lauren A. Zimmaro BA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Andrea Floyd PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Eric Dedert PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Sandra E. Sephton PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sandra E. Sephton PhD.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cash, E., Salmon, P., Weissbecker, I. et al. Mindfulness Meditation Alleviates Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Women: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial. ann. behav. med. 49, 319–330 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-014-9665-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-014-9665-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation