The experience of pain among patients who suffer from chronic pain: The role of suppression and mindfulness in the pain sensitivity and the autonomic nervous system activity

The present study aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness and suppression in the psychological and physiological experience of pain. Fifty-seven chronic pain patients responded to the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory and Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale. Then they were assigned to two groups to suppress or be mindful during the experience of invoked actual pain and participants in each of the two groups were assessed after their respective group intervention. They have reported their pain and distress by Numerical rate scores, and the biofeedback system has assessed their heart rate and the respiratory response. Each group had exposure to a massage device, with results recorded of both exposures to the device and participant psychological recovery (i.e. reporting of pain and distress scores) in the 48-h follow-up. The results showed that there were no differences between groups regarding reporting pain and distress scores immediately and after the 48-h follow-up. However, the mindfulness induction was accompanied by increased activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, and the suppression induction was accompanied by increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system in the cardiovascular and respiratory responses. Also, the suppression induction led to pain sensitivity in the muscular massage experience more than mindfulness induction. The present study provides new evidence for the rebound effects of suppression in revealing pain sensitivity and activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The suppression of pain and feelings increases pain tolerance, while more activation of the sympathetic nervous system leaves patients prone to greater pain sensitivity. Therefore, the induction of mindful attention, may positively alter both the process of developing and reducing chronic pain in patients.