Is trait mindfulness associated with pain interference in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty? A prospective cohort study

Introduction: About 20% of individuals undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) report ongoing pain and poor function. Trait mindfulness–a person’s inherent ability to be attentive to the present–has been linked to reduced pain in other conditions but not yet studied in TKA. Objective: This study examined whether higher trait mindfulness was associated with less pain interference at baseline and 12 weeks post-TKA. Secondary aims included associations with physical function and opioid use at 12 weeks. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 248 patients (59% female, mean age 66.4 years) undergoing TKA in the Bellin Health System during 2022. Trait mindfulness was measured preoperatively using the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Researchers analyzed associations between baseline MAAS scores and outcomes at 12 weeks. Results: Higher baseline MAAS scores were significantly associated with lower pain interference (β = -1.24, p =.004) and better physical function (β = 0.92, p =.03) at baseline, but not with opioid use. However, MAAS scores did not significantly predict pain, function, or opioid use at 12 weeks postoperatively. Conclusion: This is the first study exploring trait mindfulness in relation to pain outcomes after TKA. Findings suggest trait mindfulness is related to pain and function at the time of assessment but may not predict longer-term recovery. Additional research into this topic is warranted to determine the value and impact of assessing trait mindfulness in individuals undergoing TKA.