An online self-study mindfulness-based stress reduction course for people suffering from mental fatigue after an acquired brain injury.
Brain injury – July 28, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Participants in an online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program experienced significant improvements in mental fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Out of 60 individuals with acquired brain injuries and lasting mental fatigue, 16 completed the course. Those who did reported a large effect size in reducing mental fatigue (0.896), moderate reductions in depression (0.569), and anxiety (0.598). This suggests that an online MBSR program can effectively support individuals with mild to moderate symptoms, though some may need tailored approaches for better outcomes.
Abstract
The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program has shown promising results for people suffering from mental fatigue after an acquired brain injury. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a MBSR program performed as an online self-study course for this group of people. Sixty participants who had suffered an acquired brain injury with lasting mental fatigue were randomized to an online MBSR course or to a waitlist control group. They answered self-report questionnaires before start and after the course. Sixteen completed the MBSR program. With the repeated ANOVA no significant difference between groups was found, although there was a significant change in time (the repetition factor). The post-hoc paired t-test indicated a significant reduction and a large-to-median effect size in mental fatigue (p = 0.003, d = 0.896), depression (p = 0.038, d = 0.569) and anxiety (p = 0.030, d = 0.598) for the MBSR group. No significant changes were found for the control group. An online self-study MBSR program for people suffering from mental fatigue after an acquired brain injury can be a feasible option for those suffering from less severe mental fatigue and emotional symptoms, while others may require a program adapted to their needs.