• Jasmine Heath Hearn and Katherine Anne Finlay.
• The University of Buckingham Medical School, Hunter Street, Buckingham, MK18 1EG, UK. jasmine.hearn@buckingham.ac.uk.
• Spinal Cord. 2018 Aug 1; 56 (8): 750-761.

Study DesignBetween-subjects, randomized controlled feasibility study.ObjectivesPopulations with reduced sensory and motor function are at increased risk of depression, anxiety and pain, and may be less geographically mobile. This study explored the efficacy and feasibility of web-based mindfulness training for people with spinal cord injury (SCI).SettingUK community sample.MethodsParticipants were randomly allocated to an 8-week online mindfulness intervention (N = 36), or to internet-delivered psychoeducation (N = 31). Depression symptom severity was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, quality of life (QoL), pain perception, pain catastrophizing and mindfulness. Measures were taken before (T1), at completion of, (T2), and 3 months following the intervention (T3).ResultsAt T2, ten participants discontinued mindfulness training, and five discontinued psychoeducation. Dropouts were of significantly older age. Nine participants were lost to follow-up. Mindfulness reduced depression significantly more than psychoeducation at T2 (mean difference = -1.50, 95% CI [-2.43, -0.58]) and T3 (mean difference = -2.34, 95% CI [-3.62, -1.10]). Anxiety, pain unpleasantness and catastrophizing were significantly reduced compared with psychoeducation. Total mindfulness scores, and all facets of mindfulness except observing were significantly higher following mindfulness training. At follow-up, reductions in anxiety and catastrophizing persisted.ConclusionsInternet-delivered mindfulness training offers unique benefits and is viable for people with reduced sensory awareness. Future work should explore the feasibility of combined education and mindfulness training. The use of brief interventions shows promise in maximizing participant retention.

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