Research Category: Yoga & Mindfulness for Concussion, TBI, Stroke and Neurological Conditions
LoveYourBrain Mindset: Feasibility, Acceptability, Usability, and Effectiveness of an Online Yoga, Mindfulness, and Psychoeducation Intervention for People with Traumatic Brain Injury
First large-scale study demonstrating the effectiveness of an online yoga, mindfulness, and psychoeducation program for people with traumatic brain injury
Journal: Brain Injury
Year: 2023
Authors: Christine E. Callahan, Ling Beisecker, Shilo Zeller, Kyla Z. Donnelly
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased the demand for and necessity of online services to promote health and wellbeing after TBI. However, people affected by TBI often experience symptoms (e.g., headaches and visual impairments leading to screen sensitivity, sensory overload, difficulty seeing) that can undermine their ability to access and benefit from online services. While group-based yoga, mindfulness, and psychoeducation have been proven to support a wide range of mental, physical, cognitive and social health benefits after TBI, no online programming is widely available. To address this gap, LoveYourBrain developed the six-week LoveYourBrain Mindset program—a free online intervention combining yoga, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and peer support. The goal of this program is to increase mental well-being, resilience, quality of life, and community participation using mind-body methods to empower participants to recognize and manage negative thoughts about self-worth and to participate in social groups that foster purpose and belonging
This landmark study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of LoveYourBrain Mindset in a large sample of people with TBI and caregivers. Researchers evaluated whether participants consistently engaged with the program and whether it improved quality of life, resilience, cognition, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. The results aimed to inform how to increase access to holistic rehabilitation services for this marginalized community during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond using a person-centered care approach.
Summary
Key Findings
✔ Significant improvements in quality of life
✔ Increased resilience
✔ Improved cognition
✔ Improved emotional and behavioral regulation
✔ Increased positive affect and overall well-being
✔ High participant satisfaction (9.1/10 average rating)
✔ 63% of participants used the mindfulness tools every week
Study Details
Pre-post retrospective intervention study
Six-week online LoveYourBrain Mindset program
Weekly live Zoom discussion with optional gentle yoga class
Weekly meditation, yoga, yoga nidra, and psychoeducation resources
1,539 individuals enrolled
411 participants with traumatic brain injury completed outcome measures
Participants represented mild, moderate, and severe TBI
Outcomes measured quality of life, resilience, cognition, emotional regulation, and well-being using validated TBI-specific assessments.
Impact and Conclusions
Results demonstrated that LoveYourBrain Mindset was feasible to deliver at a large scale, highly rated by participants, and consistently used throughout the six-week program. Participants experienced significant improvements in quality of life, resilience, cognition, emotional and behavioral regulation, and positive affect and well-being, regardless of injury severity or which class format they attended. In conclusion, this study suggests that LoveYourBrain Mindset is an accessible and effective online rehabilitation program that can expand access to evidence-based mental health services for people living with traumatic brain injury.
What this means for you
People with TBI and their caregivers don't have to live near a specialized rehabilitation center to access high-quality holistic care that improves mental, physical, and social well-being. For someone living with a brain injury, that means recovery can continue long after formal rehabilitation through practical tools, supportive community, and evidence-based strategies that help make everyday life more manageable and meaningful.
Frequently Asked
Questions
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Yes. Participants experienced significant improvements in quality of life, resilience, cognition, emotional regulation, and overall well-being after completing the six-week online LoveYourBrain Mindset program. These findings suggest that virtual programs can provide meaningful rehabilitation while reducing barriers like transportation, geography, and scheduling.
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No. Participants could choose between a discussion only class or a discussion plus gentle yoga class based on their preferences and accessibility needs. Improvements were seen across both program formats, supporting a person-centered approach that allows participants to choose what works best for them.
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Yes. LoveYourBrain Mindset received an average participant rating of 9.1 out of 10, all scheduled programs were successfully delivered, and nearly two-thirds of participants engaged with the mindfulness resources every week. No safety concerns or adverse events related to the program were reported in the study, suggesting the program is both acceptable and feasible for people with traumatic brain injury.
LoveYourBrain programs based on this study
“LYB Mindset’s effectiveness plus digital accessibility innovations show strong potential as a new model of resilience-focused rehabilitation services for personal growth and healing after TBI.”
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