Experiences of a Mindfulness-Based Telehealth Program Modified for Adults with Cerebral Palsy—A Qualitative Study

TL;DR

Adults with cerebral palsy found a telehealth mindfulness program valuable, especially when guided by an expert and adapted to reduce fatigue.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into how mindfulness-based telehealth programs can be modified to better suit adults with cerebral palsy.

Findings

Participants valued learning and practicing mindfulness techniques in a group setting with expert guidance.

Reducing session duration and adding orientation and follow-up sessions were recommended to minimize fatigue and improve outcomes.

Mindfulness strategies were successfully applied to everyday life by participants.

Abstract

What are the main findings?
Participants valued learning different mindfulness techniques together, guided by an expert facilitator, and practicing them in daily life.Participants recommended incorporating an orientation and follow-up sessions before and after the telehealth program and reducing the duration of sessions to minimize the impact of fatigue.

Participants valued learning different mindfulness techniques together, guided by an expert facilitator, and practicing them in daily life.

Participants recommended incorporating an orientation and follow-up sessions before and after the telehealth program and reducing the duration of sessions to minimize the impact of fatigue.

What are the implications of the main findings?
Group telehealth programs for adults with cerebral palsy should be hosted by a skilled group facilitator who has expertise in cerebral palsy.Participant recommendations should inform future implementation of group mindfulness telehealth programs for adults with cerebral palsy.

Group telehealth programs for adults with cerebral palsy should be hosted by a skilled group facilitator who has expertise in cerebral palsy.

Participant recommendations should inform future implementation of group mindfulness telehealth programs for adults with cerebral palsy.

Backgrounds/Objectives: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs may have applications for adults with cerebral palsy (CP), particularly as this population is at increased risk of mental health challenges relative to the general population. However, little is known about the experiences of adults with CP participating in these programs. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of adults with CP, and a facilitator, who participated in a 9-week MBSR telehealth program. Methods: Adults who attended an MBSR telehealth program were invited to participate in focus groups. If a participant was unable to attend a focus group, they were offered a semi-structured interview. The facilitator participated in a semi-structured interview. Focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and inductively thematically analyzed using Framework Analysis. Results: Ten adults with CP and one facilitator participated. Feedback on the program spanned across three themes: (i) learning and creating my mindfulness toolbox; (ii) applying mindfulness to everyday life; and (iii) online together with expert facilitation. Participants appreciated having access to a variety of mindfulness techniques to accommodate individual preferences. Peer-learning in a facilitated, online group context was also valued. Participants recalled implementing mindfulness strategies in everyday life and provided recommendations of how to improve the program. These included incorporating a group orientation, shortening group sessions to reduce fatigue, and follow-up sessions to maintain mindfulness skills after program completion. Conclusions: This study provides new knowledge about the perspectives of adults with CP regarding MBSR delivered via telehealth. Participant recommendations should inform future implementation of group mindfulness telehealth programs for adults with CP.