Teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Live Online to Individuals Suffering from Mental Fatigue - A Qualitative Evaluation

Abstract

An increasing number of studies report enhanced well-being for people with chronic diseases after attending an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. The intention with this study was to qualitatively evaluate MBSR delivered live on the Internet for participants suffering from mental fatigue after an acquired brain injury (stroke or traumatic brain injury). The MBSR curriculum was strictly followed and was offered to participants in two groups live on the Internet (n=20) and one face-to-face group (n=12). Open questions were used to evaluate how participants managed to follow the program. Both the face-to-face and the live Internet MBSR groups reported very similar experiences after the program, such as increased awareness of the connection between body and mind, having more energy, experiencing greater clam, having more positive thoughts, and more hope and confidence for the future. Difficult experiences were connected to fatigability. It was primarily the weekly sessions that were strenuous. A sense of belonging to a group and sharing experiences with others was achieved in the live Internet groups as well as in the face-to-face group. In conclusion, the MBSR program can be delivered live online with positive effects for participants who suffer from mental fatigue after an acquired brain injury. However, for mentally fatigued participants, a slight adaption of the MBSR program is suggested.

The HEADS: UP Development Study: Working with Key Stakeholders to Adapt a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course for People with Anxiety and Depression after Stroke

“…Partly due to its unpredictable nature, fatigue can make engagement with rehabilitation interventions difficult [56], as was found in this study. In a study of adults with brain injury, including stroke, researchers found that a standard MBSR course was acceptable and offered a promising non-pharmacological treatment for amelioration of mental fatigue [57]. Participants in this study suggested that shorter sessions and frequent breaks were essential to support engagement, especially in the presence of fatigue.…”