Mindful Meditation for Chronic Stroke
Stroke
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Stroke focused on measuring mindful meditation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- adults who had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (confirmed by previous MRI or computed tomography scan).
- are aged 55 years and over
- have a history of a single stroke of at least one year prior to study enrollment - have a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 22/30 or greater at screening, including a perfect score on the 3-step command to ensure intact comprehension and ability to follow instructions
- are community-dwelling
- live in Greater Vancouver area
- able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, and other trial procedures
- read, write, and speak English with acceptable visual and auditory acuity
- not expected to start or are stable on a fixed dose of cognitive medications (e.g., donepezil, galantamine, etc.) during the study period
- able to walk for a minimum of six metres with rest intervals with or without assistive devices
- based on interview, have an activity tolerance of 30 minutes with rest intervals
- not currently participating in any regular therapy or progressive exercise
- own an operating computer with internet access and audio
- provide a personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that the individual (or a legally acceptable representative) has been informed of all pertinent aspects of the trial.
Exclusion Criteria:
- diagnosed with dementia of any type
- diagnosed with another type of neurodegenerative or neurological condition (e.g., Parkinson's disease) that affects cognitive function and mobility
- at high risk for cardiac complications during exercise and/or unable to self-regulate activity or to understand recommended activity level (i.e., Class C of the American Heart Risk Stratification Criteria)
- have clinically significant peripheral neuropathy or severe musculoskeletal or joint disease that impairs mobility, as determined by his/her family physician
- taking medications that may negatively affect cognitive function, such as anticholinergics, including agents with pronounced anticholinergic properties (e.g., amitriptyline), major tranquilizers (i.e., typical and atypical antipsychotics), and anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin, valproic acid, etc.
- aphasia as judged by an inability to communicate by phone
Sites / Locations
- University of British Columbia
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Experimental
EX protocol
EX Plus protocol
Participants will receive a revised version of the Otago exercise program (OEP) - an individualized home-based exercise program; a trained physiotherapist will make 5 home visits throughout the 12-week intervention. The participants will be expected to complete the home exercises as prescribed three times per week. The exercises are for strength and balance and are gradually progressed over the course of the study to meet the individual's abilities.
These participants will receive mindful meditation coaching via 6 one-hour small group sessions with an experienced meditation instructor. They will also be expected to practice mindful meditation at home following online audio recordings (free of charge from University of California, Los Angeles; http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22) and written instructions a minimum of five times per week for 30 minutes. Participants will complete a meditation log to record their practice. These participants will also receive the same revised version of the Otago exercise program; a trained physiotherapist will make 5 home visits throughout the 12-week intervention. The participants will be expected to complete the home exercises as prescribed three times per week.