A description of a project on the use of mindfulness for stroke survivor caregivers

Abstract

Some stroke survivor caregivers experience caregiver burden and depression after their family member experiences a life-altering cerebrovascular accident. Stroke survivor caregivers may face negative mental and physical health impacts when providing stroke survivors' care within their home, which can lead to the stroke survivor encountering negative health outcomes. Educating stroke survivor caregivers on mindfulness cognitive behavioral therapy provides them with a tool that can allow them to better cope with caregiver burden and depression that can be experienced when providing care. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to provide stroke survivor caregivers with education about the use of mindfulness to improve mental health. Data collection consisted of the Caregiver Burden Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire at baseline, at time of stroke survivors' discharge and two weeks after discharge to home. Largely related to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this project had limited recruitment (n=2) and retention (n=0). Given the mounting evidence on the benefits of mindfulness practices, this project could be implemented in the future when social interactions, such as in-person support groups, resume post COVID-19 era.