Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) improves long-term mental fatigue after stroke or traumatic brain injury
B. Johansson, H. Bjuhr, L. Rönnbäck
Brain Injury July 13, 2012 DOI: 10.3109/02699052.2012.700082 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may help reduce mental fatigue after a stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI). In a study of 29 participants—18 with stroke and 11 with TBI—those who completed an 8-week MBSR program showed significant improvements on a self-assessment scale for mental fatigue and on two neuropsychological tests (Digit Symbol-Coding and Trail Making Test) compared with a control group that received no active treatment. The results suggest MBSR is a promising non-pharmacological treatment for mental fatigue, which currently has no effective therapy and severely limits work and social participation.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Patients with stroke or traumatic brain injury |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Citations | 221 |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-based stress reduction significantly improved self-reported mental fatigue and performance on neuropsychological tests in patients with stroke or TBI. |
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Patients who suffer from mental fatigue after a stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) have a drastically reduced capacity for work and for participating in social activities. Since no effective therapy exists, the aim was to implement a novel, non-pharmacological strategy aimed at improving the condition of these patients. METHODS: This study tested a treatment with mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR). The results of the programme were evaluated using a self-assessment scale for mental fatigue and neuropsychological tests. Eighteen participants with stroke and 11 with TBI were included. All the subjects were well rehabilitated physically with no gross impairment to cognitive functions other than the symptom mental fatigue. Fifteen participants were randomized for inclusion in the MBSR programme for 8 weeks, while the other 14 served as controls and received no active treatment. Those who received no active treatment were offered MBSR during the next 8 weeks. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements were achieved in the primary end-point--the self-assessment for mental fatigue--and in the secondary end-point--neuropsychological tests; Digit Symbol-Coding and Trail Making Test. CONCLUSION: The results from the present study show that MBSR may be a promising non-pharmacological treatment for mental fatigue after a stroke or TBI.