Peacefull: A French mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with chronic pain a feasibility study

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric chronic pain can lead to serious consequences in terms of daily functioning and global quality of life. Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) approaches that emphasize accepting rather than controlling pain have gained increasing attention in adults with chronic pain. The effectiveness of MBIs for chronic pain in the pediatric population remains unknown. The aim of the Peacefull program was to study the feasibility in France of a mindfulness program for adolescents with chronic pain, based on a program especially developed in Canada and Belgium.

Method: An MBI for adolescents consisting of eight 90-min sessions was provided. It focused on building skills and incorporated mindfulness meditation, exercises, and activities especially adapted to teenagers with chronic pain.

Results: A total of 27 adolescents aged 12-17 years who were diagnosed with a chronic pain condition were enrolled in five cohorts from April 2018 to June 2021. The completion rate of the Peacefull program was 88.89 with no dropouts and good completion of outcome measures. Secondary outcomes were assessed before the program, at the end, and 3 months later. A trend toward an improvement was observed on the mean average score for the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), but it was not statistically significant. Scores increased significantly over time on the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI), and pain catastrophizing also improved.

Conclusions: Although the findings regarding the effectiveness of Peacefull programs were inconsistent and insufficient, they can be indicative of the benefits of mindfulness as an adjuvant treatment for adolescents with chronic pain.

Keywords: Adolescents; Mindfulness; Pain; Pediatrics.