This study evaluated whether a mindfulness-based therapy program could reduce pain severity in office workers with non-specific chronic low back pain.
The study included staff members of Dokuz Eylul University aged 20 to 59 years who had low back pain for at least three months and worked at a desk for more than four hours per day. Participants were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness-based therapy group or a control group.
The mindfulness-based therapy group attended online group sessions once a week for four weeks. The sessions included breathing awareness meditation, body scan meditation, self-compassion meditation, and chair yoga practices. Participants in the control group continued their usual medical care during the study period.
The primary outcome of the study was pain severity, assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale. Secondary outcomes included physical activity level, disability related to low back pain, anxiety symptoms, quality of life, and mindfulness level.
Participants were evaluated at baseline, Week 4 (end of intervention), Week 16 (3-month follow-up), and Week 28 (6-month follow-up).
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years – 59 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Staff member of Dokuz Eylül University
* Aged between 20 and 59 years
* Willing to participate in the study
* Having low back pain for at least 3 months
* Working at a desk for more than 4 hours per day
* Having access to an internet connection at home or at work
* Having a computer and/or smartphone suitable for participating in online sessions and completing online forms
Exclusion Criteria:
* Presence of an organic condition that could explain low back pain, such as lumbar disc herniation
* Presence of an underlying rheumatological disease, such as ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis
* Diagnosed psychiatric disorder
* Alcohol or substance dependence
* Current use of psychiatric medication
* Pregnancy
* Speech or hearing problems that could interfere with participation
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial used mindfulness-based therapy for chronic low back pain in office workers — given my specific situation and work setup, would this kind of approach actually be appropriate for my type of back pain, or is my case different enough that it might not apply?
2Since this study has already been completed and it measured pain severity using the Visual Analogue Scale, has my doctor seen the results, and what do they suggest about how much real-world pain relief mindfulness therapy might or might not offer someone like me?
3Before considering a mindfulness-based approach like the one studied here, should I try or exhaust more conventional treatments first — like physical therapy or medication — or is there a reason to consider adding mindfulness alongside those options?
4This trial specifically focused on office workers with non-specific chronic low back pain — does my diagnosis fit that 'non-specific' category, or do I have an identifiable underlying cause that might mean this kind of therapy is less relevant for me?
5Since this was a completed study rather than an ongoing trial, are there any clinics or programs near me that already offer a similar mindfulness-based therapy for chronic low back pain that my doctor could refer me to?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change From Baseline in Pain Severity on the Visual Analogue Scale
Timeframe: Baseline, Week 4 (end of intervention), Week 16 (3-month follow-up), and Week 28 (6-month follow-up)