Pilot evaluation of a mindfulness-based intervention to improve quality of life among individuals who sustained traumatic brain injuries.
Disability and Rehabilitation July 8, 2003 Michel Bédard, Melissa Felteau, Dwight Mazmanian et al.
A mindfulness-based stress reduction program improved quality of life in individuals with mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries at least one year post-injury. Ten participants who completed the 12-week group program showed a mean improvement of 15.40 points on the SF-36 quality of life measure, compared to a decline of 1.67 points among three drop-outs used as controls. Improvements in the cognitive-affective domain of the Beck Depression Inventory II were also reported, while changes in overall depression and psychological distress approached but did not reach statistical significance. The authors argue the intervention encouraged acceptance and new perspectives on disability.