A qualitative study exploring the experiences of mindfulness training in people with acquired brain injury.
Shruti Niraj, Sue Wright, Theresa Powell
Neuropsychological rehabilitation September 19, 2018 DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2018.1515086 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 14 |
| Population | Adults with acquired brain injury who had completed an eight-week mindfulness group |
| Duration | Eight-week mindfulness group; focus groups conducted after completion |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Brain injuries Focus groups Psychotherapy, group Qualitative research Adult Patient satisfaction Female Acquired brain injury Interpretative phenomenological analysis |
| Key findings | Participants described mindfulness as a developmental learning process supported by the group setting, leading to increased awareness and, for most, benefits in coping with the emotional and cognitive consequences of acquired brain injury. The authors present these as themes from participants' lived experience rather than measured outcomes. |
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased interest in using mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in brain injury rehabilitation. However, no previous qualitative research has explored the experiences of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) receiving these interventions. The present study, therefore, aimed to explore how individuals with ABI make sense of their experiences of learning mindfulness skills. Six focus group interviews were conducted with 14 participants with ABI after they had completed an eight-week mindfulness group. The group interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four themes provided in-depth information about participants' lived experiences of mindfulness training and being in the group; "Developmental learning process", "Group as a supportive environment for learning", "Increased awareness" and "Benefits of mindfulness". The accounts capture participants' journeys through the process of learning mindfulness skills and implementing them in their everyday lives. The findings also suggested that most participants considered mindfulness beneficial in terms of helping them to cope with the emotional and cognitive consequences of ABI.