Pain Sensitivity and Analgesic Effects of Mindful States in Zen Meditators : A Cross-Sectional Study

摘要: OBJECTIVE To investigate pain perception and the potential analgesic effects of mindful states in experienced Zen meditators. METHODS Highly trained meditators (n = 13; >1000 hours practice) age/gender-matched control volunteers 13) received individually adjusted thermal stimuli to elicit moderate on calf. Conditions included: a) baseline-1: no task; b) concentration: attend exclusively calf; c) mindfulness: calf observe, moment moment, a nonjudgmental manner; d) baseline-2: task. RESULTS Meditators required significantly higher temperatures (meditators: 49.9 degrees C; controls: 48.2 p .01). While attending "mindfully," reported decreases intensity whereas subjects showed change from baseline. The concentration condition resulted increased for controls but not Changes unpleasantness generally paralleled those found intensity. In meditators, modulation correlated with slowing respiratory rate greater meditation experience. Covariance analyses indicated that mindfulness-related changes could be partially explained by rates. Finally, tendencies observe nonreactive their own experience as measured Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire; these factors individual differences respiration. CONCLUSIONS These results have lower sensitivity during states. Results may reflect cognitive/self-regulatory skills related concept mindfulness and/or altered patterns. Prospective studies investigating meditative training respiration regulation are warranted.