Open Access

REVIEW

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

by Qiqi Feng¹, Zhijian Huang², Yanqiu Wang¹, Bin Wang^1,*

1 School of Physical Education and Sports, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
2 School of Physical Education, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, China

* Corresponding Author: Bin Wang. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2024, 26(6), 417-428. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2024.049010

Received 25 December 2023; Accepted 17 April 2024; Issue published 28 June 2024

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are emerging non-pharmacological treatments for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In this systematic review, the authors aimed to evaluate the potential efficacy of MBIs to provide recommendations for treating patients with mTBI. We searched of the English literature on MBIs for patients with mTBI as of 01 September, 2023, using the PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases. One author performed data extraction and quality scoring of the included literature according to the proposed protocol, and another conducted the review. The review was not registered. A total of 11 studies met the final inclusion criteria, 5 of which involved military personnel (veterans). MBIs covered in this review include goal-oriented attention self-regulation (GOALS), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and so on. Research shows that MBSR mainly reduces mental fatigue symptoms in mTBI patients, and GOALS tend to improve their cognitive function. The effect of MBIs on psychological symptoms needs further exploration. Other studies, such as mindfulness-based group therapy and intervention studies targeting mTBI military personnel, are relatively sparse. MBIs have specific effects on mental fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in patients with mTBI. However, the effect on psychological distress and the sustained effectiveness across all symptoms still need further exploration. Considering the particularity of military personnel suffering from mTBI, researchers need to do more intervention studies targeting mTBI military personnel. Therefore, the design of future MBIs trials for mTBI patients’ needs to take into account all the factors, such as different populations and severity of traumatic brain injury, to verify the effectiveness of MBIs in alleviating mTBI symptoms and explore the mechanism of intervention.

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Keywords

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material File

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