LoveYourBrain Mindset: Feasibility, Acceptability, Usability, and Effectiveness of an Online Yoga, Mindfulness, and Psychoeducation Intervention for People with Traumatic Brain Injury

ABSTRACT

Objective

Despite the benefits of yoga, mindfulness, and psychoeducation after traumatic brain injury (TBI), no online programming exists. This study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, usability, and effectiveness of the LoveYourBrain Mindset online program for people with TBI.

Research Design

Pre-post, retrospective intervention.

Methods

LoveYourBrain Mindset is a six-week online yoga, mindfulness, and psychoeducation program with weekly interactive Zoom classes and prerecorded mindfulness tools. Two interactive class types (45-minute group discussion, 75-minute group discussion and gentle yoga) are offered to enhance accessibility. People were eligible if they experienced TBI, were a caregiver, or clinician; ≥15 years old; and capable of gentle exercise and group discussion. We analyzed attendance, program ratings, mindfulness tools utilization, and pre/post-intervention differences in QOL, resilience, emotional/behavioral dysregulation, cognition, and positive affect/well-being.

Results

Overall, 1539 individuals signed up for LoveYourBrain Mindset with 1093 (71.02%) participating in one/more classes. The mean program rating was 9.09 (SD=1.28). Majority (62.99%) used the mindfulness tools each week. Multiple linear regression models controlling for age, TBI severity, and gender indicated significant improvements in QOL, resilience, emotional/behavioral dysregulation, cognition, and positive affect/well-being (p<0.001).

Conclusion

LoveYourBrain Mindset is feasible, acceptable, usable, and may improve outcomes among people with TBI.

KEYWORDS:

• Traumatic brain injury
• rehabilitation
• psychotherapeutic rehabilitation

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Adam Pearce, Thom Mascia, and Ramsay Pierce for contributing to the LYB Mindset curriculum development, and Alyssa Talbot for supporting data collection LoveYourBrain Mindset: Feasibility, Acceptability, Usability, and Effectiveness of an Online Yoga, Mindfulness, and Psychoeducation Intervention for People with Traumatic Brain Injury.

Disclosure statement

Authors SZ and KZD are employed by the LoveYourBrain Foundation. KZD is married to the Executive Director of the LoveYourBrain Foundation.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was used for the current study.