Mindfulness-based vs. cognitive rehabilitation interventions for post-stroke recovery: A comparative study of SIS outcomes.
Huagang Wang, Fatemeh Shahabizadeh, Fatemeh Shojaei, Seyyed Mohammad Mousavi Mirzaei, Mohammad Bin Hasan, Mohammad Dehghanifiroozabadi, Aliakbar Esmaeili
Applied neuropsychology. Adult September 10, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2025.2558170 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 45 |
| Population | Ischemic stroke survivors |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) |
| Measures | Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognitive therapy Stroke impact scale Ischemic stroke Psychological Stress Stroke rehabilitation |
| Key findings | Both MBSR and CRT significantly improved Communication and Participation/Role Function, but only MBSR significantly improved Memory and Thinking, suggesting unique cognitive benefits from mindfulness-based intervention. |
Abstract
Ischemic stroke survivors often experience persistent cognitive and psychosocial deficits not fully addressed by conventional rehabilitation. This study compared the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) on Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) outcomes. In a quasi-experimental design with a control group and follow-up, 45 eligible patients were purposively sampled and randomly assigned to MBSR, CRT, or control groups. Interventions followed standardized Kabat-Zinn (MBSR) and Powell (CRT) protocols. SIS data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. Participants were predominantly female (CRT:64%, MBSR:60%, control:57%). Both interventions significantly improved Communication (η2 = 0.21, p < 0.001) and Participation/Role Function (η2 = 0.18, p = 0.003). Notably, MBSR additionally yielded a significant improvement in Memory and Thinking (η2=0.24, p = 0.001), an effect not observed with CRT (p > 0.05). Findings suggest MBSR offers unique benefits for cognitive domains. Integrating mindfulness-based interventions into cognitive rehabilitation frameworks may enhance both cognitive and functional outcomes, representing a promising direction for future research and clinical practice.