Among 282 randomized participants who had chronic low back pain, those treated with a mindfulness-based stress reduction program improved an average of -1.1 points on the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire after 8 weeks compared to patients in the control group, Natalia E. Morone, MD, MS, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and colleagues, reported in JAMA Internal Medicine.

By 6 months, the participants in the mind-body program also had improved measures on a Numeric Pain Rating Scale for current (-1.8 points) and most severe pain measures (-1.0). But functional improvements achieved at the 8-week mark were not sustained at 6-month follow-up.

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