Mindfulness-based vs. cognitive rehabilitation interventions for post-stroke recovery: A comparative study of SIS outcomes

Ischemic stroke survivors often experience persistent cognitive and psychosocial deficits not fully addressed by conventional rehabilitation. This study compared the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) on Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) outcomes. In a quasi-experimental design with a control group and follow-up, 45 eligible patients were purposively sampled and randomly assigned to MBSR, CRT, or control groups. Interventions followed standardized Kabat–Zinn (MBSR) and Powell (CRT) protocols. SIS data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. Participants were predominantly female (CRT:64%, MBSR:60%, control:57%). Both interventions significantly improved Communication (η2 = 0.21, p < 0.001) and Participation/Role Function (η2 = 0.18, p = 0.003). Notably, MBSR additionally yielded a significant improvement in Memory and Thinking (η2=0.24, p = 0.001), an effect not observed with CRT (p > 0.05). Findings suggest MBSR offers unique benefits for cognitive domains. Integrating mindfulness-based interventions into cognitive rehabilitation frameworks may enhance both cognitive and functional outcomes, representing a promising direction for future research and clinical practice.