Efectos de un programa de mindfulness para el dolor crónico en Para atletas con discapacidad física: un estudio cuasiexperimental

Introduction: The Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement(MSPE) program has shown posi-tive changes in key aspects that contribute to sport performance. So far no study has been con-ducted in Para athletes with physicaldisabilities using mindfulness based programs as a strat-egy for chronic pain management. Objective: To determine the usefulness of the adapted MSPE program (combination of MSPE and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction [MBSR]) compared to relaxation training group as a strategy for managing chronic pain.Methodology: 36 Para athletes with chronic pain participated in a quasi-experimental design oftwo groups pre-post intervention. It was assessed:1) pain intensity and frequency with a Likert type scale, 2) levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales[DASS-21]), 3) catastrophizing (Coping Strategies Questionnaire[CSQ]), 4) pain acceptance (Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire[CPAQ-R]), and 5) satisfaction with life(Satisfaction with Life Scale [SWLS]).Results: The group that received the adapted MSPE program showed a significant reduction in pain intensity, frequency,levels of depression and stress. In addition, there was an increase in pain acceptance and life satisfaction. Both in the group submitted to the adapted MSPE and in the relaxation training group, a reduction in the levels of anxiety and catastrophizing in the face of pain was observed.Conclusions: The results obtained seem to indicate that the adapted MSPE program can be con-sidered as a non-pharmacological alternative for the management of chronic pain, improving care and support for competitive Para athletes with physical disabilities.