Research Category: Yoga & Mindfulness for Concussion, TBI, Stroke and Neurological Conditions
The Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness of the LoveYourBrain Retreat Program for People with Traumatic Brain Injury and Caregivers
First study demonstrating the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the LoveYourBrain Retreat program
Journal: Disability and Rehabilitation
Year: 2022
Authors: Kyla Z. Donnelly, Jenna Nelson, Shilo Zeller, Amber Davey, Drew Davis
Due to the complex and chronic nature of TBI, access to community-based rehabilitation that incorporate physical, psychological, social, emotional, and motivational components is important for improving quality of life. Residential retreats are one type of community-based rehabilitation that present opportunities to improve the acquisition and application of skills in a variety of areas critical to functioning (e.g., mobility, social integration, perception of self, interpersonal relationships, and independent living skills) while in natural environments where they are used in daily activities. LoveYourBrain Foundation designed a five-day, multimodal, community-based residential retreat for people with TBI and their caregivers. The program integrates mindfulness, gentle yoga, brain health nutrition, art, and community-building to support whole-person healing. This study evaluated the feasibility, participant satisfaction, and effectiveness of the LoveYourBrain Retreat program in three states. Researchers examined changes in quality of life and other validated patient-reported outcomes while also exploring participants' experiences through qualitative feedback. The findings can inform efforts to expand access to holistic, community-based rehabilitation for people living with brain injury and their caregivers.
Summary
Key Findings
✔ Significant improvements in overall quality of life
✔ Increased resilience
✔ Improved cognition
✔ Improved emotional and behavioral regulation
✔ Average participant satisfaction rating of 9.6 out of 10
✔ 98% of participants said they would definitely recommend the program to a friend
✔ Participants reported meaningful improvements in community connection, self-regulation, self-care, and reframing their brain injury experience
Study Details
Mixed-methods, retrospective pre-post study
Five-day residential LoveYourBrain Retreat
Three retreat programs
Community-based retreat locations in Maine and California
68 first-time participants
53 adults with traumatic brain injury
15 caregivers
Outcomes measured using validated QOLIBRI-OS, TBI-QOL, and Neuro-QOL assessments
Quantitative outcomes combined with qualitative participant feedback to better understand participant experiences
Impact and Conclusions
Results demonstrated that the LoveYourBrain Retreat is a feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective complementary rehabilitation program for people living with traumatic brain injury. Participants experienced meaningful improvements in quality of life, resilience, cognition, and emotional regulation while reporting benefits that extended beyond symptom improvement. Many described stronger community connection, increased self-awareness, improved self-care, greater confidence in managing daily life, and a renewed perspective on living with brain injury. Caregivers also reported feeling less isolated, gaining greater understanding of brain injury, and developing new strategies to support both themselves and their loved ones.
Overall, this study suggests that the LoveYourBrain Retreat offers an effective holistic rehabilitation experience that addresses not only physical and cognitive recovery, but also the emotional and social dimensions of healing after brain injury.
What this means for you
This study shows that immersive, community-based rehabilitation programs like the LoveYourBrain Retreat can complement traditional rehabilitation by helping people with brain injury build resilience, improve quality of life, strengthen social connection, and develop practical tools that support long-term recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Brain injury affects many parts of a person's life—not just physical health, but also emotional well-being, cognition, relationships, and quality of life. Rather than relying on a single therapy, the LoveYourBrain Retreat combines mindfulness, gentle yoga, brain health nutrition, art, and community-building to support healing across these interconnected areas.
Researchers note that multimodal rehabilitation may be especially valuable after brain injury because different evidence-based approaches can complement one another, helping participants develop practical skills for both recovery and daily life. In this study, participants experienced improvements in quality of life, resilience, cognition, and emotional regulation while also describing stronger community connection, self-care, and confidence in managing life after brain injury.
-
The LoveYourBrain Retreat is a five-day residential program that blends experiential learning with time for rest, reflection, and connection. Participants take part in mindfulness workshops, gentle yoga, yoga nidra guided relaxation, brain health nutrition education, collaborative art activities, and community-building experiences designed specifically for people with brain injury and their caregivers. Participants are encouraged to engage in the activities that feel supportive while also listening to their bodies and resting when needed. This flexible, trauma-informed approach helps create an environment where people can safely explore new tools for healing while connecting with others who share similar experiences.
-
Many people living with brain injury describe feeling isolated or misunderstood long after their injury. The LoveYourBrain Retreat intentionally creates opportunities for participants to build meaningful relationships with others who understand those experiences firsthand.
In this study, community connection emerged as one of the most meaningful aspects of the LoveYourBrain Retreat. Participants frequently described feeling less alone, more understood, and more hopeful after sharing their stories and connecting with others. Researchers suggest that this sense of belonging may play an important role in helping people adjust to life after brain injury and improve overall quality of life.
-
Recovery after brain injury affects the whole family. Caregivers often experience stress, isolation, and significant changes in their own well-being while supporting a loved one. The LoveYourBrain Retreat includes caregivers because supporting their health can also strengthen the recovery of the person living with brain injury. In this study, caregivers reported feeling less alone, gaining a deeper understanding of brain injury, learning practical self-care strategies, and developing greater empathy and confidence in supporting their loved one.
LoveYourBrain programs based on this study
Related Studies
A Group-based Yoga with Psychoeducation Intervention to Facilitate Community Integration
