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The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy during poststroke rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial.

Veronika Udvardi, Gabor Szabo, Johanna Takacs, Gabor Fazekas

International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptation September 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1097/MRR.0000000000000639 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 80
Population Poststroke patients in inpatient rehabilitation
Intervention Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
Duration 6-week intervention
Topics Meditation
Citations 5
Key findings Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy integrated into inpatient stroke rehabilitation did not significantly improve depression or anxiety compared to standard care.

Abstract

Stroke can have a range of physical, psychological, cognitive, and social impacts that are challenging for survivors. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a group-based mindfulness intervention integrated into an inpatient rehabilitation program compared to standard care. A single-center, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in 93 poststroke patients. The intervention group received 6-weeks of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and standard care; the control group received standard care. Primary outcomes were depression and trait anxiety; secondary outcomes were trait mindfulness and attention. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, and postintervention (6 weeks). Mixed-effect model repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted between groups and across time. A total of 80 participants (intervention n = 43; standard care n = 37) were included in the postintervention analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in the primary outcomes between the groups over time. An improvement was found, however, on the trait mindfulness observing subscale in favor of the intervention group. Eight sessions of MBCT integrated into an inpatient stroke rehabilitation program over 6 weeks was not effective in improving depression and anxiety compared to standard care. Lack of follow-up and low to moderate pathological symptoms at baseline may have limited the effectiveness of this intervention.