Effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Intervention on Mental Health Outcomes in Patients with Stroke: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Survivors of stroke often suffer from depression (20–35%) and anxiety (10–30%) concurrently, which slows down rehabilitation and reduces their quality of life. Furthermore, there is a lack of focus in the rehabilitation system on mental health issues and on the overall burden of potentially life-changing mental health issues after a stroke. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) in improving mental health outcomes, including psychological well-being, anxiety, and depression, in patients recovering from stroke. Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental, one-group pre–post design was used in the research. Over the span of 6 weeks, 15 stroke survivors with cognitive impairment underwent the MBI protocol and every week participated in 60-minute sessions. Their mental health outcomes were analyzed through the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, both at the start and at the end of the intervention. Statistics were derived and analyzed with SPSS version 25, using both descriptive and inferential techniques. Results: All outcome measures indicated the absence of all three components of anxiety and depression, which indicates having more mental health and positive psychological well-being. Scores on the Psychological Well-being improved 41.80 ± 2.56 and 48.07 ± 3.27 (p = 0.001). Anxiety improved with a more substantial decrease, classified as normal anxiety, 6.7% to 40% and abnormal anxiety from 80% to 13.3%, Anxiety: 11.73 ± 2.49 and 7.60 ± 2.13; P = 0.001). With abnormal classification decreasing from 73.3% to 20%, the depression severity also decreases. Depression: 9.39 ± 2.76, 7.20 ± 2.93; P = 0.003). Conclusions: MBI is an adjunct to standard stroke rehabilitation and is clinically and statistically significant. It addresses the psychological aspects of recovery, which are most often neglected. Key words: Mindfulness based intervention, Stroke Rehabilitation, Mental Health, Occupational therapy.