Feasibility, Acceptability, and Efficacy of Mindfulness Training in People With Upper Motor Neuron Disorders: A Systematic Review.
Radha Korupolu, Aila Malik, Chelsea G Ratcliff, Susan Robinson-Whelen, Heather B Taylor
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation December 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2022.05.020 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults with upper motor neuron disorders (multiple sclerosis, brain injury including stroke, spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Duration | Average MBI duration 8±2 weeks; follow-up retention reported at follow-up (period not specified) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Brain injuries Feasibility studies Multiple sclerosis Rehabilitation Spinal cord injuries Stroke |
| Key findings | Across 44 studies, mindfulness-based interventions were feasible for adults with upper motor neuron disorders, with an average completion rate of 85%±14% and follow-up retention of 80%±16%. Randomized controlled trials showed greater improvement in depression, anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life among MBI participants than controls, with larger differences versus passive than active controls. No included study examined dose response. |
Abstract
This systematic review aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on depression, anxiety, fatigue, and health-related quality of life among individuals with upper motor neuron disorders (UMNDs). PubMed, PsycINFO, Excerpta Medica Database, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for relevant studies published between January 2001 and June 2021. Clinical trials published in English evaluating MBIs in adults with the 4 most common UMNDs (multiple sclerosis, brain injury including stroke, spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) were included. Two reviewers independently performed the risk of bias assessment using standardized tools and extracted desired data electronically. A total of 44 studies were included: 26 randomized controlled trials, 10 nonrandomized controlled trials, and 8 pre-post intervention studies. The average ± SD duration of MBIs was 8±2 weeks. On average, 85%±14% of participants completed the MBI, and the retention rate at follow-up was 80%±16%. Only 14% of the studies delivered MBIs virtually, and feasibility metrics were similar to in-person studies. Among studies reporting acceptability data, most participants reported satisfaction with the MBI. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of MBI on depression, anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life revealed greater relative improvement in these outcomes among MBI participants compared with controls, with differences greater when compared with passive control than active control participants. None of the studies included in this review studied dose response. Based on current data, MBIs are feasible and offer a promising approach to address the biopsychosocial needs of individuals with UMNDs. MBIs are associated with a high acceptance rate among participants, with notable improvements in depression, anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life post intervention. Future studies are needed to evaluate alternate models of delivery of MBIs and the dose-response relationship.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions for people with spinal cord injury: a scoping review. Spinal cord March 1, 2025
- Examining motivators and barriers to meditation practice among individuals with spinal cord injury: Insights from a survey study. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine February 18, 2025
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