Mindfulness-based Dance/Movement Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and credibility of a mindfulness-based dance/movement therapy (M-DMT) protocol that is delivered online; to assess and improve methodological procedures for conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) test of M-DMT; and to demonstrate proof of principle by gathering information about the process of change between M-DMT and a control condition.

This is the first study to address the potential of M-DMT as a creative, non-opioid intervention for chronic back pain. Therefore, the findings of this study will provide important methodological and protocol data and substantive pilot data necessary for the next phase of this line of research, namely a fully powered RCT to evaluate efficacy and treatment mechanisms of action. Data obtained as part of this study will be instrumental for informing the systematic evaluation of M-DMT for chronic back pain care.

Conditions

• Chronic Low-back Pain

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness-based dance/movement therapy (M-DMT)

M-DMT includes benefits of physical activity, group psychotherapy, mindfulness training, and an art-based intervention in a unified practice. Each online session focuses on different psycho-educational topics about chronic low back pain management and links these topics with specific M-DMT activities that incorporate mindfulness-based principles and techniques.

BEHAVIORAL

Chronic pain social support group

The therapist will facilitate online open group discussions about participants' experiences with or reactions to the topic of discussion and will promote empathy among group members. The therapist will use client-centered, reflective listening techniques but will not prescribe any specific recommendations for change. Each week, SSG participants will receive emails with brief information about the topic discussed during the group session.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  collaborator NIH

• Stony Brook University

  collaborator OTHER

• Drexel University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Minjung Shim, PhD · Drexel University

• Adam Gonzalez, PhD · Stony Brook University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-04-01

Primary Completion

2021-12-31

Completion

2022-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations