Evaluation of a Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention for Adults with Cerebral Palsy and Anxiety and/or Emotion Regulation Difficulties-A Randomised Control Trial.

A modified telehealth Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for adults with cerebral palsy who had elevated anxiety or emotion regulation difficulties did not produce a statistically significant between-group difference in mindfulness scores compared with a wait-list group. However, within the MBSR group, participants showed improvements in depression, stress, and emotion regulation that were maintained eight weeks after the program ended. The program was successfully adapted for this population. The trial included 31 participants with no or mild intellectual impairment who attended 90-minute weekly sessions for nine weeks.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has not yet been evaluated for people with cerebral palsy (CP). The aims of this randomised control trial were to investigate whether a modified telehealth MBSR program could improve mindfulness and reduce depression, anxiety, and emotion regulation difficulties among adults with CP with elevated anxiety and/or emotional regulation difficulties. Participants (n = 31) with elevated anxiety and/or emotion regulation difficulties and no/mild intellectual impairment were randomised to a modified telehealth MBSR program (90 min weekly, 9 weeks) group or a wait-list group. Measurements were collected prior to (T1), after (T2), and 8 weeks post-intervention (T3). The primary outcome was the mean between-group difference in the change in Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-R (CAMS-R) scores in T1-T2. The secondary outcomes included mean within-group differences over time for the CAMS-R total scores, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 subscales, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) total t-score. We found no statistically significant between-group difference in mean change in mindfulness scores for T1-T2 (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes: The MBSR intervention group had improved CAMS-R scores with respect to T1-T2 and T1-T3; improved mean scores for Depression and Stress subscales for T1-T2; and improved DERS t-scores for T1-T2 and T1-T3. In conclusion, this study found no significant between-group difference for the primary outcome of mindfulness. The MBSR program was successfully modified for adults with CP and was effective in improving depression, stress, and emotion regulation. ACTRN12621000960853.