Waiting for pain: effect of a mindfulness intervention during a wait situation on pain intensity

Mindfulness increased through the induction; it did not affect perceived pain intensity. In the worry condition, perceived pain intensity increased, which is in accordance with research on detrimental effects of worry. Regarding the aim of the study, the experiment showed that a one-shot mindfulness intervention was able to promote state mindfulness, but not decrease perceived pain intensity. Future research should investigate whether mindfulness has more impact on the affective component of the pain, rather than on its sensory component.