The Impact of Mind-Body Medicine on Patient-Reported Outcomes in the Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain

TL;DR

This study explores whether mindfulness therapy improves quality of life for women with chronic pelvic pain, finding some improvement in sleep and fatigue.

Contribution

The study is one of the first to evaluate mindfulness-based therapy for chronic pelvic pain using patient-reported outcomes.

Findings

Seven out of 13 patients showed a clinically significant improvement in sleep disturbance scores.

Improvements in fatigue, pain interference, and social participation were observed in six patients each.

The study demonstrated the feasibility of implementing a mind-body counseling program for pelvic pain.

Abstract

Background

Recent research has suggested a role for mindfulness-based therapy for patients with chronic medical conditions, but there is limited data on pelvic pain. We aim to determine if mindfulness improves patient-reported outcomes in pelvic pain and to determine the feasibility of implementation of this program.

Methodology

This is a pilot feasibility trial consisting of women with chronic pelvic pain at a single academic tertiary referral clinic. A convenience sample of 15 subjects was enrolled. Subjects were scheduled for three 60-minute virtual mind-body sessions with a certified counselor. Baseline scores were obtained using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Computer Adaptive Testing (PROMIS-CAT) platform. They were repeated three months and six months after enrollment. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

A total of 15 patients were enrolled in the study. Among the 13 patients who completed the three-month PROMIS-CAT scores, seven had a clinically significant 5-point improvement in sleep disturbance T-score. At least a 5-point improvement in fatigue, pain interference, and ability to participate in social roles and activities T-scores were observed in six patients each. There was a 40% dropout rate.

Conclusions

A formal mind-body counseling program can support patients with chronic pelvic pain. Our trial demonstrated the feasibility of establishing a program and modest improvement in patient-reported quality of life.

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