Impact of mindfulness training on depression and walking ability in patients with lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans and depression
Yun-Xia Shi, Bing Qin, Xiao-Xiao Wang, Yixuan Sun, Xiao-yu Wang, Jie Kou
World Journal of Psychiatry August 19, 2026 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v16.i8.118680 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 124 |
| Population | Patients with lower extremity arteriosclerotic occlusive disease complicated with depression |
| Interventions | Mindfulness training Routine treatment/nursing |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 1-month follow-up |
| Measures | Self-Rating Depression Scale, pain-free walking distance, six-minute walk distance, Chinese Self-Efficacy Exercise Scale, MOS36-item short form health survey |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness training plus routine care reduced Self-Rating Depression Scale scores (30.76 ± 4.94 at 1 month vs. 38.94 ± 5.13 in controls) and increased pain-free walking distance (263.35 ± 11.52 m vs. 244.56 ± 10.43 m) and six-minute walk distance (426.55 ± 13.02 m vs. 307.06 ± 10.73 m) at 1 month follow-up, with a lower complication rate (3.23% vs. 14.52%). |
Abstract
Background: Lower extremity arteriosclerotic occlusive disease (LEAOD) is a prevalent chronic vascular condition that significantly increases the risk of lower limb dysfunction and depressive symptoms. Mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated efficacy in improving mood and coping ability in patients with various chronic illnesses; however, their specific impact on the dual burden of depression and walking ability in patients with LEAOD remains unclear.
Aim: To explore mindfulness training impact on depression scores and walking ability in patients with LEAOD complicated with depression.
Methods: From September 2023 to October 2025, 176 patients with LEAOD and depression were enrolled and divided into the control (routine treatment/nursing, n = 93) and study (mindfulness training plus routine treatment/nursing, n = 83) groups. Baseline confounding factors were balanced between the groups using 1:1 propensity score matching, with 62 cases in each group. Depression scores, walking ability, self-efficacy, quality-of-life, and complications were compared between the two groups before the intervention, 8 weeks after the intervention, and at 1 month follow-up.
Results: After 8 weeks of intervention and at 1 month follow-up, the Self-Rating Depression Scale score of the intervention group were 37.21 ± 5.32 and 30.76 ± 4.94 points, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the control group (44.68 ± 5.77 and 38.94 ± 5.13 points) (P < 0.05). The pain-free walking distance in the intervention group were 243.06 ± 13.44 m and 263.35 ± 11.52 m, respectively, and the six-minute walk distances were 387.24 ± 15.22 m and 426.55 ± 13.02 m, respectively, both of which were higher than those of the control group (pain-free walking distance: 224.55 ± 11.87 m and 244.56 ± 10.43 m; six-minute walk distances: 364.45 ± 13.34 m and 307.06 ± 10.73 m) (P < 0.05). The Chinese Self-Efficacy Exercise Scale and MOS36-item short form health survey scores of the two groups were significantly higher than those before the intervention (P < 0.05). The total complication rate in the intervention group was 3.23% lower than that in the control group (14.52%) (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Mindfulness training effectively alleviated depression and enhanced walking ability, self-efficacy, and quality-of-life in patients with LEAOD concomitant with depression, suggesting a valuable supplementary rehabilitation intervention.