Efficacy of Internet-Delivered Mindfulness for Improving Depression in Caregivers of People With Spinal Cord Injuries and Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial.
Jasmine Heath Hearn, Imogen Cotter, Katherine Anne Finlay
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation January 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2018.08.182 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled feasibility study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 55 |
| Population | Spouses or family caregivers (older than 18 years, with Internet access) of people with spinal cord injury and chronic neuropathic pain |
| Interventions | Web-based mindfulness training Psychoeducational materials |
| Dose | 10 minutes of mindfulness practices, twice per day, 6 days per week, totaling 960 minutes |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation Depression |
| Keywords | Education Quality of life Rehabilitation Telemedicine |
| Key points | Internet-delivered mindfulness training reduced depression severity and anxiety more than psychoeducation among caregivers of people with spinal cord injury and chronic neuropathic pain, with benefits maintained at 3 months. The authors conclude the approach is viable and suggest future combined education and mindfulness programs involving both patient and caregiver. |
Abstract
To explore the feasibility and efficacy of web-based mindfulness training for carers of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Randomized controlled feasibility study with 3-month follow-up. Community setting. Spouses or family caregivers (N=55) of people with SCI and chronic neuropathic pain were recruited via the direct care team and advertisements. Participants were older than 18 years (no upper age limit), with Internet access for the duration of the study. Participants were randomly allocated to an 8-week online mindfulness training intervention (n=28), or to receive 8 weeks of psychoeducational materials on SCI and chronic pain (n=27). An established web-based, mindfulness training course was delivered over 8 weeks. Participants completed 10 minutes of mindfulness practices, twice per day, 6 days per week, totaling 960 minutes. The control group received a weekly e-mail with psychoeducational materials (based on the established elements) on SCI and pain for 8 weeks. Depression severity. Mindfulness reduced depression severity more than psychoeducation at T2 (mean difference= -.891; 95% confidence interval,-1.48 to -.30) and T3 (mean difference=-1.96; 95% confidence interval, -2.94 to -.97). Mindfulness training also reduced anxiety at T2 (mean difference=-.888; 95% confidence interval, -1.40 to -.38) and T3 (mean difference=-2.44; 95% confidence interval, -3.20 to -1.69). Results indicate that Internet-delivered mindfulness training offers unique benefits and is viable for caregivers of people with SCI and chronic neuropathic pain. Further work should explore the feasibility of combined education and mindfulness training incorporating both patient and caregiver, for optimum benefit.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Effectiveness of an Internet-Based, Self-Guided, Short-Term Mindfulness Training (ISSMT) Program for Relieving Depressive Symptoms in the Adult Population in China: Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research February 13, 2025
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction effects on resilience, individual independence and quality of life of spinal cord injury patients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine July 1, 2026
- Can cognitive behavioral additions improve the efficacy of self-help mindfulness intervention for depression and anxiety ?: A randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy March 15, 2026
- Can a little bit of mindfulness do you good? A systematic review and meta-analyses of unguided mindfulness-based self-help interventions. Clinical Psychology Review August 30, 2021
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