Modified-Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as a Treatment for Cognitive Recovery in Patients with Minor Stroke: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences November 11, 2024 Sophia G Girgenti, Isabella Dallasta, Erin Lawrence et al. preprint
An 8-week online modified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course modestly improved cognitive performance in patients recovering from minor stroke, particularly in processing speed, executive function, and global cognition, compared to a traditional stroke support group. Thirty patients with subacute minor stroke were randomized to either intervention. Both groups showed increased cognitive scores three months post-stroke, but the MBSR group had moderately greater improvements. Engagement was low in both groups and did not correlate with better outcomes. The authors suggest MBSR may be more effective in the chronic recovery stage when patients can participate more fully.