New Meditation Technique for Pain and Distress
This study wants to learn how well a new meditation, called Essence Breathing (EB), works for adults who have pain. It also wants to find out if difficult life experiences impact how well this meditation helps to improve symptoms.
Why this Research Matters
This study looks at a new kind of meditation called Essence Breathing (EB). Unlike mindfulness, EB is based on Taoist ideas about staying connected, balanced, and calm. EB uses relaxing exercises and guided imagery to help the body and mind work together. This study will test whether EB can help lower stress in people who have both physical pain and trauma-related stress. If EB works, it could give people an easy, low-cost, drug-free way to manage pain and trauma symptoms and may reduce the need for medicines like opioid painkillers.
What to Expect
If you want to join this study, you will first fill out a short questionnaire to see if you qualify. The study team will review your answers and reach out to you to schedule your in-person visit if you are eligible. Your visit will take place at the Biopsychosocial Pain Management lab in the North Classroom Building on the CU Denver campus. During the visit, you will start by filling out about 20 minutes of surveys on a computer about your pain and stress. Then you will listen to a 20-minute recording of the new meditation. Before, during, and after you listen to the recording, sensors will be placed on your body to measure your heart rate and muscle activity. After the meditation, you will end the visit by filling out the same surveys about your pain and stress on the computer.
Study Duration
You will have one study visit, and it will take about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Who can Participate
You may be able to join this study if you:
- Are at least 18 years old
- Can read and write in English fluently
- Have pain at least 5 times per month
Study ID
Protocol Number: 25-2559
Compensation Information
Meet the Team
Chrysantha B. Davis, M.S.
Principal Investigator