Mindfulness based stress reduction to support self-management of anxiety and depression following stroke

Aim(s):

We aim to co-create an adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction course that accounts for common consequences of stroke e.g. communication impairments, fatigue, physical disabilities.

Objectives:

• To examine whether we can we co-create an adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction course to promote stroke survivors’ adherence to the taught course?
• To explore whether we can co-create an adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction course to promote stroke survivors’ adherence to home practice?

Summary:

Anxiety and depression are common after stroke, but people do not always have the skills they need to cope with symptoms. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is a standardised, eight-week course that teaches people with long-term conditions skills, including meditation and mindfulness breathing, to help them to self-manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. Skills taught during the course are practised at home. Although some people find mindfulness-based stress reduction helpful, many people do not complete the whole course or find it difficult to practice at home. Using ‘taster sessions’ and focus groups, we will work with stroke survivors and other experts to make changes to the standard course. Together we will look at what is taught and how it is taught. We will try to identify changes that will help stroke survivors follow the whole course and practice their new skills, and use them to self-manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. When we have made the changes, we will apply for funding for a research project that will help us to find out if stroke survivors follow the adapted course, including the home practice and whether MBSR is effective in reducing anxiety and depression. 

Principal Investigator: Glasgow Caledonian University

NMAHP Research Unit Collaborators: Professor Margaret Maxwell

External Collaborators: Maxwell M - University of Stirling, Booth J - Glasgow Caledonian University, Dickson S, Dougall N - Edinburgh Napier University, Greally M, University of Strathclyde, Jani B - the University of Glasgow, Mason H - Glasgow Caledonian University, Mercer S - University of Glasgow, Shearer X.

Funder:  Chief Scientist Office