An online self-study Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program was tested for people with mental fatigue after an acquired brain injury. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to the online MBSR course or a waitlist control group. Sixteen completed the MBSR program. No significant difference between groups was found overall, but the MBSR group showed significant reductions in mental fatigue, depression, and anxiety with large-to-medium effect sizes. The control group showed no significant changes. The online MBSR program can be feasible for those with less severe mental fatigue and emotional symptoms, while others may need a program adapted to their needs.
A pilot program combining mindfulness training with education about brain fatigue reduced fatigue and anxiety in people with acquired brain injury or multiple sclerosis. Sixteen participants attended six biweekly group sessions that included meditation, fatigue-related knowledge, and group discussion, while 16 waitlisted controls completed only questionnaires. After the program, the treatment group showed significantly lower brain fatigue and anxiety than controls. Interviews with 13 participants indicated the program provided a space to share experiences, helped them feel more understood and less alone, and taught them to better understand and manage brain fatigue. The authors suggest the program may be a rehabilitation option but call for larger confirmatory studies.