This study will utilize a replicated single case experimental design (RSCD) to investigate the effectiveness of a brief mindfulness meditation (MM) vs clinical hypnosis (HYP) training for improving pain in injured elite athletes. The primary outcome is change in pain intensity. It is hypothesized that: (1) both treatments will engender clinically meaningful improvement in pain intensity; (2) change in cognitive processes will be a unique mechanism underlying improved pain outcome in MM, and (3) change in cognitive content will be a unique mechanism underlying improved pain outcome in HYP. This research program has the potential to reduce athletes' uncertainty around pain, time out with injury and improve pain management during rehabilitation and recovery from injury.
The proposed program of research will utilize our current understanding of the Behavioral Inhibition System and Behavioral Activation System (BIS-BAS) model of pain and mind-body therapies and apply it to pain experienced by injured elite athletes. This study will be a replicated single case experimental design (RSCD), which will investigate the effectiveness of a brief mindfulness meditation (MM) vs clinical hypnosis (HYP) training for improving the primary outcome of pain intensity in injured elite athletes. It will also investigate the potential mechanism role of change in cognitive content and cognitive processes in underlying the effects of these mind-body therapies. It is hypothesized that: (1) both treatments will engender clinically meaningful improvement in pain intensity; (2) change in cognitive processes will be a unique mechanism underlying improved pain outcome in MM, and (3) change in cognitive content will be a unique mechanism underlying improved pain outcome in HYP. This research program has the potential to reduce athletes' uncertainty around pain, time out with injury and improve pain management during rehabilitation and recovery from injury.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Five, 20-minute audio-recorded training sessions of mindfulness of breath and body meditation, practiced over consecutive days, delivered remotely via Qualtrics.
Five, 20-minute audio-recorded training sessions of clinical hypnosis with suggestions targeting pain management, practiced over consecutive days, delivered remotely via Qualtrics.
The University of Queensland
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of Current Pain Intensity
Change in pain intensity will be measured using a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) of average pain in the past 24 hours. Participants will be asked to choose a number from 0-10 that best represents their pain intensity. Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-reported pain intensity.
Time frame: Assessed online daily during randomized baseline length of 5, 10 or 15 days, 5 day treatment period, and randomized post-treatment phase of 5, 10 or 15 days of assessment
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of Current Pain Unpleasantness
Change in pain unpleasantness will be measured using a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) of average pain unpleasantness in the past 24 hours. Participants will be asked to choose a number from 0-10 that best represents their pain unpleasantness. Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-reported pain unpleasantness.
Time frame: Assessed online daily during randomized baseline length of 5, 10 or 15 days, 5 day treatment period, and randomized post-treatment phase of 5, 10 or 15 days of assessment
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