Research Category: Yoga & Mindfulness for Concussion, TBI, Stroke and Neurological Conditions
Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness of an Online Meditation Intervention in Young Adults With Concussion History
First-ever study of an online meditation program for concussion shows LoveYourBrain meditations decrease concussion symptoms!
Journal: Journal of Sport Rehabilitation
Year: 2024
Authors: Christine E. Callahan, Kyla Z. Donnelly, Susan A. Gaylord, Keturah R. Faurot, J.D. DeFreese, Adam W. Kiefer, and Johna K. Register-Mihalik
75% of TBIs are concussions. Concussion often increases anxiety, cognitive fatigue, and stress. Mindfulness meditation has been shown to improve mental and physical health after brain injury. But online meditation programs for concussion are lacking, despite their potential benefits. This pilot study investigated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an online, concussion-focused meditation intervention among 15 young adults with a concussion history. Participants completed 10-20 minutes per day of LoveYourBrain meditations for 6 weeks. The results aim to inform how mindfulness tools can be used for self-management of concussion symptoms.
Summary
Key Findings
✔ Lower concussion symptom severity
✔ Lower perceived stress
✔ Decrease in mental, physical, and vestibular symptoms
✔ High use of meditations (5 days/week)
Study Details
Pre-post, pilot, single-arm study
6-week meditation program using LoveYourBrain meditations
15 participants
Young adults (18–30) with concussion
Concussion occurred <5 years prior
42% had a mental health diagnosis
50% reported >10 symptoms on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire
Impact and Conclusions
Results found that a majority of participants completed 5+ days per week of the LoveYourBrain meditations, and concussion symptom severity significantly decreased on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptom Questionnaire (RPQ) compared with before the intervention. Specifically, 83% (n = 10) reported lower concussion symptom severity, and 75% (n = 9) reported less concussion symptoms as a mild, moderate, or severe problem (ie, worse than before injury). In conclusion, this study suggests positive adherence and feasibility of a LoveYourBrain meditation intervention, and potential benefits of concussion-specific meditation programming on symptoms and stress.
This means that LoveYourBrain online meditations
Increase access to concussion-specific meditation resources that can be used anytime, anywhere.
Improve mental, physical, and social symptoms after concussion.
Innovate tools for self-management of concussion symptoms based on duration and topic preferences.
Frequently Asked
Questions
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This pilot study suggests it may. After completing a six-week online LoveYourBrain meditation program, most participants reported lower concussion symptom severity. Eighty-three percent experienced an overall reduction in symptoms, and 75% reported fewer symptoms that were worse than before their concussion. While these findings are encouraging, larger randomized studies are needed to confirm the results.
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Participants reported lower perceived stress after completing the six-week meditation program. Although the improvement did not reach statistical significance in this small pilot study, stress scores declined from moderate toward lower levels. Because stress can contribute to ongoing concussion symptoms, these findings suggest meditation may be a helpful part of recovery alongside other treatments.
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Participants completed one to two guided LoveYourBrain meditations each day for six weeks, totaling approximately 10–20 minutes per day. Most participants practiced at least five days each week, demonstrating that a brief, home-based meditation routine was realistic and sustainable for most people in the study.
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es. One goal of this study was to evaluate whether an online, self-guided meditation program was practical to use at home. Participants reported that the meditations were easy to do at home and successfully practices them five days a week.
LoveYourBrain programs based on this study
“We’re thrilled to learn that LoveYourBrain meditations reduce persistent post-concussion symptoms and are easy to access. We hope these free resources can be integrated into the rehabilitation system so that more people with concussion and their families can benefit.
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