Mind-Body Interventions and Their Effect on Pain Perception: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Pain perception is a multidimensional phenomenon shaped not only by nociceptive input but also by cognitive, emotional, and physiological factors. Increasingly, mind-body interventions have been recognized as effective adjunctive approaches for managing pain. This experimental study evaluates the effects of three interventions—mindfulness meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)—on pain perception compared to a control group.

A sample of 120 healthy adults (60 male, 60 female, aged 20–45) was randomly assigned to one of four groups. Pain tolerance and intensity were measured using the Cold Pressor Test (CPT) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after a 4-week intervention. Physiological markers (heart rate variability and salivary cortisol) were recorded.

Findings indicated that all intervention groups showed significant improvements compared to control. The mindfulness group demonstrated the highest increase in pain tolerance (+36%), followed by yoga (+29%) and PMR (+22%). Cortisol levels decreased significantly in the meditation and yoga groups, highlighting stress regulation as a mediator.

This study provides strong evidence that mind-body practices reduce pain perception through a combination of cognitive reappraisal, relaxation response, and autonomic regulation. The results underscore the potential of non-pharmacological interventions in clinical pain management and occupational health contexts.