The purpose of this study is to see if mindfulness, a form of mental training, or listening to a book alters brain activation in response to raising your leg that may produce the feeling of pain. A technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allows scientists to determine which parts of the brain are active during a particular task. This study will provide new information about how mindfulness affects the brain.
You have been asked to participate in this study because you are interested in learning mindfulness and have been diagnosed with chronic low-back pain. Your participation is voluntary. We will randomly assign 40 subjects to each group for the initiation of the final phase of the study. Randomization means that you have a one in two chance of being assigned to the mindfulness meditation training or book-listening control intervention. Your assignment is based on chance rather than a medical decision made by the researchers.