Evaluation of mindfulness-based interventions for pain, anxiety, and depression in spinal cord injury patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Clinical neurology and neurosurgery April 1, 2025 Alison Reilly, Ahmad Sharif, Ojas Bhagra et al. 4 citations
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) such as yoga, mental imagery, biofeedback, and mindfulness meditation may reduce pain in people with spinal cord injury. A systematic review of seven studies involving 419 participants found that MBI led to a significant reduction in pain scores on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, with a mean difference of -1.26 points compared to control groups. However, improvements in anxiety and depression, measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Brief Pain Inventory, did not reach statistical significance, though trends favored MBI. Secondary outcomes like stress and quality of life were not statistically analyzed. The results suggest possible benefits of MBI for pain and psychological symptoms after spinal cord injury.