Mindfulness intervention effect on endometriosis-related pain dimensions and its mediator role on stress and vitality: a path analysis approach

Endometriosis-related pain is supposedly mainly responsible for generating psychological stress and deteriorating the quality of life. However, the interaction between these factors has not been investigated, considering its multidimensional nature and through the path of effects of psychosocial approaches. The present study aims to investigate the effect of a brief mindfulness-based intervention (bMBI) on pain dimensions and its mediator role on psychological stress and QoL-Vitality improvement. A secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial using a series of parallel and serial mediators was carried out. The results showed that bMBI improves the sensory ( B = −6.09 [−9.81, −2.52], β = −0.42) and affective ( B = −3.40 [−5.02, −1.80], β = −0.47) pain. The bMBI effect on psychological stress reduction was mediated by these changes in sensory ( B = −2.81 [−6.06, −0.41], β = −0.21) and affective ( B = −1.97 [−5.07, −0.17], β = −0.15) pain. Serial sensory pain and psychological stress reduction ( B = 2.27 [0.11, 5.81], β = −0.09) mediated the bMBI effect on quality of life vitality. Meditation training promotes additional improvement in affective and sensory pain characteristics through which psychological stress is reduced. The sensory pain dimension must be positively impacted in combination with psychological stress for the bMBI improves women’s vitality. Adding a psychosocial intervention like meditation training to the standard treatment plan may be required for some women to achieve the needed changes to restore well-being.