Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions for people with spinal cord injury: a scoping review.
Mengqi Li, Wing Yiu Lo, Yule Hu, Shanshan Wang, Tsz-Ching Sun, Worku Animaw Temesgen, Mengting He, Yan Li
Spinal cord March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-025-01068-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 9 |
| Population | Individuals with spinal cord injury |
| Interventions | acceptance commitment therapy mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions improved psychological health outcomes (depression, anxiety, stress) with medium-to-large effect sizes in people with spinal cord injury. |
Abstract
Scoping review. To synthesize the effects of mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions (MABIs) on health-related outcomes of individuals with spinal cord injury. The included studies were conducted across four countries: The United States, Iran, China, and The United Kingdom. This review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guideline. Seven databases were searched until November 2024 to identify studies published in English-language that evaluated MABIs' effects on health-related outcomes in people with spinal cord injury. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by two reviewers independently. A narrative data synthesis was conducted. Of 2389 records, nine studies were included with designs of randomized controlled trials (n = 4), quasi-experimental studies (n = 3), and case studies (n = 2). Acceptance commitment therapy (n = 4) and mindfulness-based interventions (n = 5) were employed. MABIs demonstrated significant improvements in psychological health outcomes (depression, n = 3; anxiety, n = 3; stress, n = 2) with medium-to-large effect sizes ( η p 2 = 0.112 - 0.223 ) and other health-related outcomes (chronic pain, n = 1; functional independence, n = 1; engagement in meaningful activities, n = 1; and quality of life, n = 1). Participants found the MABIs to be acceptable and satisfactory. Study quality varied from weak (n = 6) to strong (n = 2). The findings generally support the acceptability and effectiveness of MABIs for improving the overall well-being of individuals with SCI. Future research directions regarding designing MABIs and exploring effectiveness mechanisms were recommended for maximizing its benefits.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Development and effectiveness of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for individuals with spinal cord injury: Changes in quality of life and inflammatory biomarkers. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine June 4, 2026
- Revealing the protective mindfulness-moderation on loneliness, depression, and quality of life among spinal cord injury survivors in a mixed-methods study Disability and Rehabilitation April 17, 2025
Cites 7
- Mindfulness for health and wellbeing in adults with spinal cord injury: A scoping review Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine July 15, 2024
- Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy of Mindfulness Training in People With Upper Motor Neuron Disorders: A Systematic Review. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation December 2022
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on depression in poststroke patients-A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Psychosomatic Research October 1, 2022
- Pilot clinical trial of a clinical meditation and imagery intervention for chronic pain after spinal cord injury. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine May 1, 2022
- Mindfulness for pain, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in people with spinal cord injury: a systematic review BMC Neurology January 21, 2020
and 2 more in the library