Solution-focused brief therapy combined with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for post-stroke depression: a randomized controlled trial.
Juan Xiong, Yan Lin, Zhen Zhu Mao, Wen Qin Luo, Min Hu
Topics in stroke rehabilitation March 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2025.2541217 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA combined therapy of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy reduced depression and anxiety and improved mindfulness, quality of life, and functional independence in patients with post-stroke depression. The study enrolled 60 patients from a hospital in Jiangxi, with 29 in a control group and 27 in an intervention group. Outcomes measured with standard scales showed significant group-by-time interaction effects favoring the intervention group across all measures, including depression severity, anxiety, mindfulness, quality of life, and functional independence. The authors suggest the combined intervention has clinical value as an adjunct to routine post-stroke care.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Controlled study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 56 |
| Population | Patients with post-stroke depression from a tertiary hospital in Jiangxi |
| Interventions | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy |
| Topics | Depression |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Quality of life Solution-focused nursing model Stroke |
| Key finding | The combined SFBT-MBCT intervention significantly reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms while enhancing mindfulness, quality of life, and functional independence in post-stroke depression patients. |
Abstract
To evaluate the efficacy of integrating Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in alleviating psychological distress and improving functional outcomes in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). A controlled study enrolled 60 PSD patients from a tertiary hospital in Jiangxi. Participants were allocated to a control group (n = 29) or an intervention group (n = 27). Primary and secondary outcomes were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL), and Barthel Index (BI). Data were analyzed using mixed linear models to examine group-by-time interactions. Mixed linear model analysis revealed significant group-by-time interaction effects favoring the intervention group across all outcomes: depression severity (HAMD-17: F = 5.24, p < 0.001), anxiety (HAMA: F = 8.90, p < 0.05), mindfulness (FFMQ: F = 5.24, p < 0.05), quality of life (SS-QOL: F = 4.88, p < 0.005), and functional independence (BI: F = 6.12, p < 0.001). The combined SFBT-MBCT intervention significantly reduces depressive and anxiety symptoms while enhancing mindfulness, quality of life, and functional independence in PSD patients, demonstrating clinical value as an adjunct to routine post-stroke care.