Movement-Based Mindfulness vs. Attention Control for Modifying Physiological Risk in Chronic Stroke: Evidence from a Feasibility Trial.
Tharshanah Thayabaranathan, Marina Paul, Frederick R Walker, Shaun Hancock, Liam Allan, Maarten A. Immink, Susan Hillier, Monique F Kilkenny, Amy Brodtmann, Emma K. C. Gee, Leeanne M. Carey, Rene Stolwyk, Julie Bernhardt, Michael Nilsson, Dominique A Cadilhac
Healthcare November 17, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13222940 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Sub-study of a feasibility randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 38 |
| Population | Adults 3-18 months post-stroke, recruited from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (mean age 69 years; 72% male) |
| Intervention | attention control (education and peer support) |
| Duration | 12-week intervention |
| Measures | Perceived Stress Scale, hair cortisol, HbA1c, lipid profile (HDL, LDL, triglycerides), blood pressure |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Biomarkers Blood pressure Feasibility trial Risk factors Stroke |
| Key findings | The mindfulness-based intervention group showed clinically meaningful within-group reductions in systolic (5 mmHg; d = 0.35) and diastolic (4 mmHg; d = 0.41) blood pressure and favorable trends in HDL and LDL cholesterol, while triglycerides improved in the control group and HbA1c showed no change. No significant between-group differences were detected; the authors present these as preliminary findings warranting larger trials. |
Abstract
Background: Managing physiological risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, stress, blood glucose) post-stroke is essential yet challenging. In this sub-study of a feasibility randomized controlled trial, we examined changes in these parameters following a stroke-tailored mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) compared with an attention control.
Methods: Participants 3-18 months post-stroke were recruited from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (May 2021-July 2023) and randomized 1:1 to a 12-week MBI (weekly yoga + ≥3 home meditation sessions) or attention control (education and peer support). All attended weekly 60-min classes. Outcomes included blood pressure and stress (perceived stress scale, hair cortisol). A sub-group (n = 17) also had HbA1c and lipid profile assessed. Descriptive statistics, within-group effect sizes (Cohen's d), and generalized linear modeling were used.
Results: A total of 38 participants were randomized with 36 participants completing the trial (mean age 69 years; 72% male), and the MBI group showed greater within-group improvements in blood pressure, with clinically meaningful reductions in systolic (5 mmHg; d = 0.35) and diastolic (4 mmHg; d = 0.41) values, compared to smaller effects in the control group. Exploratory trends suggested favorable change in lipid profiles (HDL and LDL) in the MBI group, while triglycerides improved in the control group. No changes were observed for HbA1c. Stress markers, including hair cortisol, showed positive trends in the MBI group (d = 0.52). No significant between-group differences were detected.
Conclusions: This sub-study of a well-designed, rigorous feasibility trial provides preliminary findings of clinically meaningful differences in blood pressure and lipid profiles in the MBI group. The findings support the potential of MBIs in managing post-stroke cardiovascular risk factors and warrant larger trials to confirm these preliminary effects.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Neural mechanisms of attentional control in mindfulness meditation Frontiers in Neuroscience 2013
- Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, and Quality of Life Outcomes Following a Movement-Based Mindfulness or Social Group Program for Chronic Stroke: A Sub-Study of a Phase II Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial Mindfulness May 3, 2025
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: A Focused Review for Practicing Clinicians. Current cardiology reports March 2, 2023
- Effectiveness of mindfulness training on pregnancy stress and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in women in China: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology March 2, 2023
- Yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction and stress-related physiological measures: A meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology December 2017
and 2 more in the library