Effectiveness of Structured Mindfulness-Based Interventions Versus Usual Care in Reducing Psychological Distress and Improving Quality of Life among Stroke patients

Effectiveness of Structured Mindfulness-Based Interventions Versus Usual Care in Reducing Psychological Distress and Improving Quality of Life among Stroke patients | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review Effectiveness of Structured Mindfulness-Based Interventions Versus Usual Care in Reducing Psychological Distress and Improving Quality of Life among Stroke patients Irene Njoka, Jenniffer Donkor, Ruth Gakii, Ramadhan Thuwaiba Said, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8132327/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background : Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, with survivors often experiencing significant psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, which can impact overall recovery and quality of life. Traditional rehabilitation approaches may not fully address these challenges. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) have shown promise in managing psychological distress in stroke patients, but existing research is heterogeneous, creating gaps in evidence synthesis. Objective : This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of structured MBIs compared to usual care in reducing psychological distress and improving quality of life among stroke patients and survivors by synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods : Following the PICOS framework, we conducted a systematic review of RCTs published within the last 10 years. The search strategy included multiple databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results : Eight RCTs with 587 participants were included. Interventions included MBSR, MBCT, and tailored programs like HEADS: UP. Significant improvements were observed in depression and anxiety, with large effect sizes (Cohen's d: 0.86–0.91; p < 0.05). Quality of life, cognition, sleep, motor function, and self-care also improved. Delivery methods were diverse (online, in-person, hybrid, audio-guided) with high completion rates (66.7%–99%). Conclusions : Structured MBIs can effectively reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life among stroke patients and survivors. The diverse delivery methods and adaptations highlight the potential for these interventions to be tailored to the unique needs of stroke survivors. Future research should focus on standardized reporting practices and further exploration of the mechanisms underlying the benefits of MBIs in stroke rehabilitation. Psychology Occupational Medicine Cognitive Neuroscience Stroke Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) depression rehabilitation Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8132327","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Systematic Review","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":546115741,"identity":"efeaa3eb-18a0-45e0-a3b8-fa95f73923ca","order_by":0,"name":"Irene Njoka","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8332-9896","institution":"Jinzhou Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Irene","middleName":"","lastName":"Njoka","suffix":""},{"id":546115744,"identity":"5532fe4f-aa6c-4bf3-ae78-6c1873aa5e27","order_by":1,"name":"Jenniffer 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interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eEffectiveness of Structured Mindfulness-Based Interventions Versus Usual Care in Reducing Psychological Distress and Improving Quality of Life among Stroke patients\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"Jinzhou Medical University","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Stroke, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), depression, rehabilitation","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8132327/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8132327/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground\u003c/strong\u003e: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, with survivors often experiencing significant psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, which can impact overall recovery and quality of life. Traditional rehabilitation approaches may not fully address these challenges. Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) have shown promise in managing psychological distress in stroke patients, but existing research is heterogeneous, creating gaps in evidence synthesis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObjective\u003c/strong\u003e: This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of structured MBIs compared to usual care in reducing psychological distress and improving quality of life among stroke patients and survivors by synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods\u003c/strong\u003e: Following the PICOS framework, we conducted a systematic review of RCTs published within the last 10 years. The search strategy included multiple databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults\u003c/strong\u003e: Eight RCTs with 587 participants were included. Interventions included MBSR, MBCT, and tailored programs like HEADS: UP. Significant improvements were observed in depression and anxiety, with large effect sizes (Cohen's d: 0.86–0.91; p \u0026lt; 0.05). Quality of life, cognition, sleep, motor function, and self-care also improved. Delivery methods were diverse (online, in-person, hybrid, audio-guided) with high completion rates (66.7%–99%).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusions\u003c/strong\u003e: Structured MBIs can effectively reduce psychological distress and improve quality of life among stroke patients and survivors. The diverse delivery methods and adaptations highlight the potential for these interventions to be tailored to the unique needs of stroke survivors. Future research should focus on standardized reporting practices and further exploration of the mechanisms underlying the benefits of MBIs in stroke rehabilitation.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effectiveness of Structured Mindfulness-Based Interventions Versus Usual Care in Reducing Psychological Distress and Improving Quality of Life among Stroke patients","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-19 02:49:46","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8132327/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"8692381f-e378-4104-9102-d27b3551e049","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 19th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":58217980,"name":"Psychology"},{"id":58217981,"name":"Occupational Medicine"},{"id":58217982,"name":"Cognitive Neuroscience"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-19T02:49:46+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-19 02:49:46","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8132327","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8132327","identity":"rs-8132327","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}