Solution-focused brief therapy combined with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for post-stroke depression: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate the efficacy of integrating Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in alleviating psychological distress and improving functional outcomes in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD). A controlled study enrolled 60 PSD patients from a tertiary hospital in Jiangxi. Participants were allocated to a control group (n = 29) or an intervention group (n = 27). Primary and secondary outcomes were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL), and Barthel Index (BI). Data were analyzed using mixed linear models to examine group-by-time interactions. Mixed linear model analysis revealed significant group-by-time interaction effects favoring the intervention group across all outcomes: depression severity (HAMD-17: F = 5.24, p < 0.001), anxiety (HAMA: F = 8.90, p < 0.05), mindfulness (FFMQ: F = 5.24, p < 0.05), quality of life (SS-QOL: F = 4.88, p < 0.005), and functional independence (BI: F = 6.12, p < 0.001). The combined SFBT-MBCT intervention significantly reduces depressive and anxiety symptoms while enhancing mindfulness, quality of life, and functional independence in PSD patients, demonstrating clinical value as an adjunct to routine post-stroke care.