Trial Outcomes & Findings for Mindfulness for Pain and Suicide (NCT NCT05286112)

NCT ID: NCT05286112

Last Updated: 2026-08-25

Results Overview

Pain interference was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory. Scores range from 0 to 10 with higher scores indicating greater pain-related interference in activities. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

76 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

baseline to 6 months post-treatment follow-up

Results posted on

2026-08-25

Participant Flow

Potential participants were recruited through a case finding procedure of VHA medical records.

Potential participants were screened for eligibility, consented (if eligible and interested), and completed a baseline assessment.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute weekly sessions
Health Education
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute weekly sessions
Overall Study
STARTED
38
38
Overall Study
COMPLETED
26
25
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
12
13

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Mindfulness for Pain and Suicide

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=38 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute weekly sessions
Health Education
n=38 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute weekly sessions
Total
n=76 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
55.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.3 • n=31 Participants
51.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.4 • n=49 Participants
53.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.4 • n=80 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
16 Participants
n=31 Participants
14 Participants
n=49 Participants
30 Participants
n=80 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
22 Participants
n=31 Participants
24 Participants
n=49 Participants
46 Participants
n=80 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
1 Participants
n=49 Participants
1 Participants
n=80 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
0 Participants
n=49 Participants
0 Participants
n=80 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
0 Participants
n=49 Participants
0 Participants
n=80 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
5 Participants
n=31 Participants
5 Participants
n=49 Participants
10 Participants
n=80 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
28 Participants
n=31 Participants
30 Participants
n=49 Participants
58 Participants
n=80 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
1 Participants
n=49 Participants
1 Participants
n=80 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
5 Participants
n=31 Participants
1 Participants
n=49 Participants
6 Participants
n=80 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants
n=31 Participants
3 Participants
n=49 Participants
5 Participants
n=80 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
36 Participants
n=31 Participants
35 Participants
n=49 Participants
71 Participants
n=80 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
0 Participants
n=49 Participants
0 Participants
n=80 Participants
Suicidal ideation intensity
1.61 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.1 • n=31 Participants
2.22 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.34 • n=49 Participants
1.91 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.25 • n=80 Participants
Depression
19.7 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.5 • n=31 Participants
20.5 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.7 • n=49 Participants
20.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.1 • n=80 Participants
Interpersonal needs
41.6 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.9 • n=31 Participants
50.8 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.0 • n=49 Participants
46.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.1 • n=80 Participants
Pain interference
6.5 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.0 • n=31 Participants
7.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.8 • n=49 Participants
6.8 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.9 • n=80 Participants
Physical health-related quality of life
29.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.4 • n=31 Participants
26.7 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.8 • n=49 Participants
27.9 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.6 • n=80 Participants
Mental health-related quality of life
28.9 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.8 • n=31 Participants
27.3 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.5 • n=49 Participants
28.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.6 • n=80 Participants
Pain intensity
5.6 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.3 • n=31 Participants
6.0 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.4 • n=49 Participants
5.8 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.3 • n=80 Participants
Mindfulness
108.3 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.5 • n=31 Participants
116.0 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.9 • n=49 Participants
112.1 scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.1 • n=80 Participants
Pain acceptance
21.8 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.5 • n=31 Participants
21.1 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.6 • n=49 Participants
21.4 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.5 • n=80 Participants
Pain catastrophizing
30.6 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.1 • n=31 Participants
33.4 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.7 • n=49 Participants
32.0 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.4 • n=80 Participants
Fear of movement
44.7 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.8 • n=31 Participants
44.8 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.7 • n=49 Participants
44.8 Scores on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.7 • n=80 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 1-month post-treatment

Population: Data collected at 1-month follow-up when there was more missing data than at study completion.

The Abbreviated Acceptability Rating Profile assesses the extent to which participants agree with 8 statements about the intervention. Scores range from 1 to 6 with higher scores indicating higher acceptability. Data are from the 1-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=21 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=22 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Treatment Acceptability
4.7 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.4
4.3 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.6

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 6-month post treatment follow-up

Suicide ideation intensity will be assessed using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale Ideation intensity subscale. Scores range from 2 to 25 with higher scores indicating greater intensity of ideation. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=26 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=25 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Suicidal Ideation Intensity
8.93 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.27
9.92 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.05

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 months post-treatment follow-up

Population: 1 additional participant did not complete the PHQ-9 in the Health Education condition.

The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to assess depression symptoms. Scores range from 0 to 27 with higher scores indicating greater severity of depression. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=26 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=24 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Depression
14.6 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.9
18.5 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.6

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 6-months post-treatment follow-up

Population: 2 additional participants with missing data in the Health Education condition.

The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire was used to assessed interpersonal needs. Scores range from 12 to 84 with higher scores indicating greater conflict with interpersonal needs. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=26 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=23 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Interpersonal Needs
35.81 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.0
36.2 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.0

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to 6 months post-treatment follow-up

Pain interference was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory. Scores range from 0 to 10 with higher scores indicating greater pain-related interference in activities. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=26 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=25 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Pain Interference
5.4 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.2
6.2 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.4

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 months post-treatment follow-up

Population: 1 additional participant with missing data from the Health Education condition.

The Veterans Rand (VR)-12 was used to assess physical health-related quality of life. Scores fall between 20 and 60 in clinical populations with higher scores indicating higher physical health-related quality of life. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=26 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=24 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Physical Health-related Quality of Life
28.6 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.9
28.7 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: baseline to 6 months post-treatment follow-up

Population: On additional participant with missing data from the MBCT condition.

Pain intensity was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory Pain Severity subscale. Scores range from 0 to 10 with higher scores indicating more severe pain intensity. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=25 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=25 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Pain Intensity
5.4 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.6
5.8 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6-months post treatment assessment

Population: One additional participant with missing data from the Health Education condition

The Veterans Rand (VR)-12 was used to assess mental health-related quality of life. Scores fall between 20 and 60 in clinical populations with higher scores indicating higher mental health-related quality of life. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=26 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=24 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Mental Health-related Quality of Life
37.4 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.7
30.7 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.8

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 6 months post-treatment follow-up

Population: One additional participant in the Health Education condition had missing data.

We used the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) to assess mindfulness. Scores range from 39 to 195 with higher scores indicating higher mindfulness. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=26 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=24 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Mindfulness
125 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 21.0
112.3 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 15.3

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: 6 months post-treatment follow-up

Population: One additional participant with missing data from the Health Education condition

Pain acceptance was assessed using the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) scores range from 0 to 120 with higher scores indicating greater acceptance of pain with higher scores indicating greater pain acceptance.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=26 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=24 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Pain Acceptance
25.8 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.7
23.08 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.6

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: baseline to 6 months post-treatment follow-up

Population: One additional participant with missing data in the Health Education condition.

Pain catastrophizing was assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Scores range from 0 to 52 with higher scores indicate greater pain catastrophizing. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=26 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=24 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Pain Catastrophizing
25.6 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.6
30.6 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.9

OTHER_PRE_SPECIFIED outcome

Timeframe: baseline to 6 months post-treatment follow-up

Population: 6 additional participants had missing data, 2 from the MBCT condition and 4 from Health Education.

Fear of movement due to pain will be measured using the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. The scores range from 17-68 with higher scores indicating indicating greater fear of movement. Data are from the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=24 Participants
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Health Education
n=21 Participants
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute sessions
Fear of Movement
43.9 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.3
45.9 scores on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.8

Adverse Events

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

Serious events: 7 serious events
Other events: 13 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Health Education

Serious events: 6 serious events
Other events: 19 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=38 participants at risk
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute weekly sessions
Health Education
n=38 participants at risk
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute weekly sessions
Psychiatric disorders
Hospitalization associated with significant psychiatric distress
5.3%
2/38 • Number of events 2 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
5.3%
2/38 • Number of events 2 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Cardiac disorders
Cardiac related hospitalization
7.9%
3/38 • Number of events 3 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Hospitalization related to respiratory system
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 2 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Gastrointestinal disorders
Hospitalization associated with digestive system
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hospitalization related to metabolism disorder
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
5.3%
2/38 • Number of events 3 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Hospitalization from an injury
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Hospitalization due to blood clots
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
n=38 participants at risk
MBCT delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute weekly sessions
Health Education
n=38 participants at risk
Health education sessions delivered over the course of 10, \~60 minute weekly sessions
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Respiratory related emergency department visit
10.5%
4/38 • Number of events 4 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
5.3%
2/38 • Number of events 3 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Eye disorders
emergency dept visit associated with visual problems
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Psychiatric disorders
Increased psychiatric distress
15.8%
6/38 • Number of events 10 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
18.4%
7/38 • Number of events 7 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Nervous system disorders
Migraines
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Injury
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
10.5%
4/38 • Number of events 5 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Increased musculoskeletal pain
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
5.3%
2/38 • Number of events 2 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Cardiac disorders
Cardiac related emergency department visit
5.3%
2/38 • Number of events 2 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Renal and urinary disorders
Urinary issues leading to emergency department visit
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastrointestinal problems leading to emergency dept
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
13.2%
5/38 • Number of events 5 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Infections and infestations
Infection leading to emergency department visit
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
5.3%
2/38 • Number of events 3 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Blood or lymphatic issues leading to an emergency department visit
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
5.3%
2/38 • Number of events 3 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Skin-related emergency department visit
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
5.3%
2/38 • Number of events 2 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperglycemia
0.00%
0/38 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment
2.6%
1/38 • Number of events 1 • Baseline until end of follow-up, up to 6 months post-treatment

Additional Information

Lisham Ashrafioun

VA Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention

Phone: 585-430-2026

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place