Abstract TMP103: Meditation for Post-Stroke Depression: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Jennifer E S Beauchamp, Alejandro Chaoul, Stanley G. Cron, Tahani Casameni Montiel, Samuel S. Payén, Alan Prossin, Mary F Love, M. Okpala, Sean I Savitz, Anjail Sharrief
Stroke February 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1161/str.51.suppl_1.tmp103 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 64 |
| Population | Stroke survivors and their informal caregivers (e.g., unpaid spouses) |
| Interventions | Meditation Expressive writing |
| Duration | 4-week intervention with 12-week randomized controlled trial follow-up |
| Measures | Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Severity and Intensity subscales |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | The trial indicates that a meditation intervention in the post-stroke environment is acceptable, but an in-person, multiple-visit format may not be feasible given low completion (39%) and attendance (55%). Pain severity improved significantly for stroke survivors at 8 weeks, while depression and anxiety changes were not significant; caregivers showed a significant reduction in trait anxiety at 4 weeks. |
Abstract
Background and
Purpose: Despite the high prevalence of post-stroke depression (PSD) and negative impact on stroke survivors (SS) and their informal caregivers ([IC]; e.g., unpaid spouses), treatment of PSD is inadequate. Meditation has been associated with improved psychological outcomes. The purpose of this study was to establish the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a meditation intervention with SS and IC. Secondary objectives were to explore the effects of the intervention on symptoms of PSD, anxiety, and pain.
Methods: Participants were randomized to the 4-week meditation intervention (n=27 SS; n=16 IC) or expressive writing control (n=14 SS; n=7 IC). Descriptive statistics were used to examine feasibility. Acceptability data included interviews and field notes. Repeated measures analysis with linear mixed models were used to test for change over time in Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Severity and Intensity subscale scores.
Results: Of the 92 eligible, 71 (77%) enrolled. Of the 64 randomized (7 were lost-to-follow-up or withdrawn due to ineligibility prior to randomization), 25 (39%) completed the study. The mean intervention attendance rate was 55%. Assessment completion rate for the intervention was 96%. For intervention SS, BPI severity scores were significantly lower at 8 weeks (p=.0270), while non-significant reductions across CES-D and STAI scores were noted. For intervention IC, a significant reduction in STAI-Trait scores was noted at 4 weeks (p=.0262). Data indicated distance was a primary barrier; however, the majority voiced favorable responses to the meditation.
Conclusions: A meditation RCT in the post-stroke environment is acceptable; however, consideration needs to be given to the feasibility of an in-person, multiple-visit intervention. Further efficacy testing is needed in a larger RCT.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.