# Associations between pain, anxiety and depression and mindfulness in patients with burning mouth syndrome: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study finds that mindfulness is linked to lower pain and fewer anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

## Contribution

The study explores the specific role of mindfulness facets in managing pain and psychological symptoms in burning mouth syndrome patients.

## Key findings

- Higher overall mindfulness is associated with lower pain intensity in BMS patients.
- The 'non-judging' and 'non-reactivity' mindfulness facets are linked to fewer anxiety symptoms.
- The 'acting-with-awareness' facet is associated with fewer depressive symptoms.

## Abstract

Background: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain disorder
affecting the oral mucosa, often accompanied by psychological comorbidities.
Higher levels of mindfulness have been associated with reduced pain and fewer
emotional symptoms in some chronic pain conditions, but its role in BMS remains
inadequately explored. Methods: 146 patients diagnosed with BMS,
according to the International Classification of Orofacial Pain, 1st edition,
were recruited from the Department of Oral Medicine at a stomatology hospital.
Mindfulness, pain intensity and psychological symptoms were assessed using the
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, visual analog scale, and self-report
screening tools, respectively. Spearman’s correlation and multiple regression
analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationships between mindfulness and
levels of pain, anxiety, and depression. Results: Mindfulness showed
significant negative correlations with pain (r = −0.204, p <
0.05), anxiety (r = −0.309, p < 0.01), and depression
(r = −0.299, p < 0.01). After controlling for confounding
variables, higher overall mindfulness remained significantly associated with
lower pain intensity (β = −0.268, p < 0.05), although the
associations with anxiety and depression were no longer statistically significant
(p > 0.05). Among the mindfulness facets, higher scores on the
“describing” facet were associated with reduced pain intensity (β =
−0.231, p < 0.05). Additionally, higher scores on the “non-judging”
(Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.871, p < 0.05) and “non-reactivity”
(OR = 0.869, p < 0.05) facets were associated with fewer anxiety
symptoms, while the “acting-with-awareness” facet was significantly associated
with fewer depressive symptoms (OR = 0.869, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The overall mindfulness level and the “describing” facet
appear to be associated with pain severity, whereas the “non-judging” and
“non-reactivity” facets are related to anxiety symptoms, and the
“acting-with-awareness” facet is linked to depressive symptoms, suggesting that
mindfulness-based interventions may offer a beneficial approach in the management
of BMS.