Evaluating a Group-Based Temperature Biofeedback and Pain Education Intervention: Preliminary Report on Effects on Peripheral Temperature and Pain Outcomes.

This retrospective study analyzes the effects of Mind Meter-a session of group-delivered pain neuroscience education (PNE) paired with temperature biofeedback-on peripheral temperature and pain outcomes in chronic pain participants. A retrospective review assessed physiological and subjective responses to this novel group intervention. Before and immediately after the intervention, peripheral skin temperature and pain related symptom scores were collected using an adapted Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). Participants (n = 35) with chronic pain participated in a single 2-h Mind Meter group. Significant pre-post changes were seen in both physiological and subjective symptom severity. Peripheral temperature increased 2.30°F (95% CI 1.05, 3.54; p < 0.001) on average. Participants reported a mean reduction in pain intensity of -1.14 points (95% CI -1.61, -0.068; p < 0.001). Sadness, anxiety, and well-being on the ESAS also improved significantly (highest p = 0.001). In this study we observed that after a single group-session of Mind Meter, participants generated immediate, measurable physiological changes attributable to alterations in the autonomic nervous system, modest pain relief, and overall symptom improvement. This brief, group format provides a novel option that makes PNE and biofeedback a potentially accessible complementary modality.