Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions for people with spinal cord injury: a scoping review.

A scoping review of nine studies across four countries found that mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions (MABIs) improved psychological health outcomes—depression, anxiety, and stress—in people with spinal cord injury, with medium-to-large effect sizes (partial eta-squared from 0.112 to 0.223). Additional benefits were reported for chronic pain, functional independence, engagement in meaningful activities, and quality of life, though these were each examined in only one study. Participants found the interventions acceptable and satisfactory. Study quality was weak in six of the nine studies and strong in two. The findings generally support MABIs as effective for improving overall well-being in this population, though more research is needed on intervention design and mechanisms.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Scoping review. To synthesize the effects of mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions (MABIs) on health-related outcomes of individuals with spinal cord injury. The included studies were conducted across four countries: The United States, Iran, China, and The United Kingdom. This review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guideline. Seven databases were searched until November 2024 to identify studies published in English-language that evaluated MABIs' effects on health-related outcomes in people with spinal cord injury. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by two reviewers independently. A narrative data synthesis was conducted. Of 2389 records, nine studies were included with designs of randomized controlled trials (n = 4), quasi-experimental studies (n = 3), and case studies (n = 2). Acceptance commitment therapy (n = 4) and mindfulness-based interventions (n = 5) were employed. MABIs demonstrated significant improvements in psychological health outcomes (depression, n = 3; anxiety, n = 3; stress, n = 2) with medium-to-large effect sizes ( η p 2 = 0.112 - 0.223 ) and other health-related outcomes (chronic pain, n = 1; functional independence, n = 1; engagement in meaningful activities, n = 1; and quality of life, n = 1). Participants found the MABIs to be acceptable and satisfactory. Study quality varied from weak (n = 6) to strong (n = 2). The findings generally support the acceptability and effectiveness of MABIs for improving the overall well-being of individuals with SCI. Future research directions regarding designing MABIs and exploring effectiveness mechanisms were recommended for maximizing its benefits.