A randomized controlled trial of online mindfulness-based stress reduction in chronic stroke.
Sandy J Lwi, Jas Chok, Krista Schendel, Timothy J Herron, Brian C Curran, Juliana V Baldo
Rehabilitation psychology January 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1037/rep0000651
Summary
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) did not specifically improve mental health for people recovering from chronic stroke. A trial with 59 individuals compared online MBSR to online Brain Health Education. While both interventions proved feasible and low-cost, MBSR showed only negligible improvements in anxiety (η² = .01) and depression (η² = .002) symptoms over six months. Other measures, including cognition and physical health, also revealed no MBSR-specific benefits. This suggests that for chronic stroke populations, a general educational intervention may be as effective as MBSR for overall well-being.
Abstract
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been shown to improve mental health and well-being in people with different medical conditions. However, whether it improves outcomes in chronic stroke populations is less clear, as few studies have examined the efficacy of MBSR in this population with a randomized controlled trial and an active control condition. Our study aimed to address this gap. People with a history of chronic stroke (n = 59) participated in a randomized controlled trial of MBSR. They were randomly assigned to an online MBSR intervention or an online Brain Health Education intervention. Both interventions were matched on a number of variables, including schedule, instructor, and format. Participants were assessed pre-, post-, and 6 months postintervention using online questionnaires and an online neuropsychological battery. MBSR did not lead to improved anxiety F(2, 55) = 1.13, p = .321, η² = .01) or depression F(2, 68) = 0.53, p = .588, η² = .002) symptoms over time. Exploratory outcomes of cognitive functioning, physical health, and well-being also revealed no MBSR-specific improvements over time (ps > .318). People with a history of chronic stroke reported improved outcomes from participating in either intervention, providing support that both online MBSR and Brain Health Education interventions are feasible and low-cost interventions for this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).