Effects of a Short-term Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Comfort of Stroke Survivors Undergoing Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified short-term mindfulness-based intervention on improving the mindfulness, comfort, and ambulation ability of stroke survivors undergoing inpatient rehabilitation in Wuhan, China.

Design: A two-group, nonrandomized, nonconcurrent design was used.

Method: Participants undergoing inpatient rehabilitation were nonrandomly divided into control group (n = 25) and intervention group (n = 25) to avoid possible ethical discrimination as well as interaction among participants. The control group received routine care; the intervention group received a 2-week mindfulness-based intervention, which included weekly 1.5-hour group practice, individual daily practice, and routine care. Data were collected using questionnaires and assessments of ambulation before and after 2 weeks of observation.

Findings: Improvement on the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale score, the overall score of the Shortened General Comfort Questionnaire, and the scores of the physical, psychospiritual, and sociocultural subscales in the intervention group was greater than those in the control group (p < .05). No significant difference (p > .05) was observed between the two groups when comparing scores of the environmental subscale of Shortened General Comfort Questionnaire, Berg Balance Scale, 10-Meter Walk Test, and Functional Ambulation Classification scale.

Conclusions And Clinical Relevance: A 2-week mindfulness-based intervention can significantly improve stroke survivors' mindfulness and comfort but does not significantly affect ambulation ability.