Mindfulness Interventions in Physical Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review.
Mark E Hardison, Shawn C Roll
American Journal of Occupational Therapy May 1, 2016 DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2016.018069 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Mindfulness interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Musculoskeletal diseases Neuromuscular diseases Occupational therapy Chronic pain Neurocognitive disorders |
| Key findings | The reviewed literature suggests mindfulness interventions are helpful for patients with musculoskeletal and chronic pain disorders and show trends toward outcome improvements for neurocognitive and neuromotor disorders. The authors argue that all included mindfulness interventions fit within occupational therapy scope of practice, though only 2 studies used an occupational therapist as the primary provider, and they conclude higher-level research is needed. |
Abstract
A scoping review was conducted to describe how mindfulness is used in physical rehabilitation, identify implications for occupational therapy practice, and guide future research on clinical mindfulness interventions. A systematic search of four literature databases produced 1,524 original abstracts, of which 16 articles were included. Although only 3 Level I or II studies were identified, the literature included suggests that mindfulness interventions are helpful for patients with musculoskeletal and chronic pain disorders and demonstrate trends toward outcome improvements for patients with neurocognitive and neuromotor disorders. Only 2 studies included an occupational therapist as the primary mindfulness provider, but all mindfulness interventions in the selected studies fit within the occupational therapy scope of practice according to the American Occupational Therapy Association's Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process. Higher-level research is needed to evaluate the effects of mindfulness interventions in physical rehabilitation and to determine best practices for the use of mindfulness by occupational therapy practitioners.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Mindfulness-based Interventions for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clinical Journal of Pain February 1, 2024
- Effect of daily mindfulness fluctuations on sleep and recovery-stress states in elite level judoka: an observational study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2025
- Efficacy of a mindful compassion intervention on reducing pain catastrophizing and rumination in women with mobility disability: A randomized controlled trial Preventive Care In Nursing and Midwifery Journal October 1, 2025
- A Manualized Occupational Therapy Mindfulness Module for Clients with PTSD August 1, 2022
- Mindfulness in Military Medicine: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Army Medical Specialist Corps Officers’ Mindfulness Competency, Beliefs, and Tendencies Military Medicine July 2, 2026
and 5 more in the library
Cites 11
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Mindfulness: diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma Contemporary Buddhism May 1, 2011
- Being Mindful about Mindfulness: An Invitation to Extend Occupational Engagement into the Growing Mindfulness Discourse Journal of Occupational Science September 28, 2011
- A meditation on the use of hands. Previously published in Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy 1995; 2: 153-166. Scandinavian journal of occupational therapy 2014
- Do mindfulness-based interventions reduce pain intensity? A critical review of the literature. Pain Medicine February 2013
and 6 more in the library