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
Shaun Hancock, Tharshanah Thayabaranathan, Rene Stolwyk, J. Cameron, Maarten A. Immink, Susan Hillier, Monique Femia Kilkenny, Amy Brodtmann, Leeanne M. Carey, M. Olaiya, Emma K. C. Gee, Dominique A Cadilhac
Mindfulness May 3, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-025-02579-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 38 |
| Population | Adults 3–18 months post-stroke; 72% male, median age 70 years |
| Intervention | Movement-based mindfulness |
| Duration | 12-week intervention; follow-up at 13–15 weeks post-baseline |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Both movement-based mindfulness and social group classes produced small-to-medium within-group improvements in anxiety, depression, fatigue, and health-related quality of life, with no statistically significant between-group differences. The authors suggest these programs may be beneficial post-stroke and warrant further investigation. |
Abstract
Movement-based mindfulness may be beneficial for mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) post-stroke. We assessed changes in anxiety, depression, fatigue, and HRQoL in survivors of stroke participating in movement-based mindfulness intervention against an attention control (social group). Participants were between 3- and 18-months post-stroke and randomised 1:1 to the movement-based mindfulness intervention or social group (15-20 min lifestyle education then socialisation). Each program was delivered as group-based, 1-hr classes over 12 weeks. Anxiety, depression, fatigue, and HRQoL were measured at baseline and post-intervention (13–15 weeks post-baseline). Within-group changes were analysed using Cohen’s d. The magnitude of change was classified as small (d = 0.2), medium (d = 0.50), or large (d = 0.80). Between-group differences were assessed using generalised linear mixed models. Thirty-eight participants were randomised, and 36 completed follow-up (72% male, median age 70 years). Movement-based mindfulness showed greater within-group effects than attention control for HRQoL (d = 0.22 vs d = 0.18) and aspects of HRQoL (e.g. memory (d = 0.31 vs d = 0.06), and mobility (d = 0.45 vs d = 0.37). Movement-based mindfulness showed smaller within-group effect than attention control for anxiety (d = 0.25 vs d = 0.46), depression (d = 0.11 vs d = 0.48), and aspects of HRQoL (e.g. communication (d = 0.01 vs d = 0.46), usual activities (d = 0.11 vs d = 0.40), hand function (d = 0.04 vs d = 0.43), and utility score (d = 0.02 vs d = 0.34)). No between-group differences were found. Movement-based mindfulness or social group classes provide small-to-medium favourable changes in various health domains within 3–18 months of stroke. These findings support further investigation of these programs. The conducted research was pre-registered with The Australian and New Zealand Registry: ACTRN12620000105943.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology Annual Review of Clinical Psychology December 11, 2018
- The Contribution of Common and Specific Therapeutic Factors to Mindfulness-Based Intervention Outcomes Frontiers in Psychology January 14, 2021
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention in Chronic Stroke: a Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study Mindfulness December 1, 2021
- Mindfulness-based interventions for psychiatric disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review February 1, 2018
- Acceptability of mindfulness from the perspective of stroke survivors and caregivers: a qualitative study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 2018
and 2 more in the library