Title : Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on negative emotions and quality of life in perioperative intracranial aneurysm patients

Background: An intracranial aneurysm is a pathological expansion of the arteries within the cranium, typically occurring at the bifurcation of the skull base arteries. The overall incidence rate of intracranial aneurysm ranges from 1% to 7%, with rupture causing high mortality and disability. Patients often suffer from anxiety and depression, and perioperative stress may worsen outcomes. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) shows promise in reducing stress and improving mental health, but its suitability for aneurysm surgery patients is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a MBSR program, combining online and offline approaches, on negative emotions and quality of life in perioperative patients with intracranial aneurysms.

Methods: A total of 57 patients undergoing interventional treatment for intracranial aneurysms were enrolled and divided into an intervention group (n=27) and a control group (n=30). The control group received routine care, whereas the intervention group participated in an 8-week combined online and offline MBSR program. Negative emotions and quality of life were assessed using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) before and after the intervention.

Results: After the intervention, the intervention group showed significantly lower SAS and SDS scores and higher total quality of life scores compared with the control group (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study employed both online and offline mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy, tailored to the physiological and psychological conditions of patients with aneurysms. The intervention was executed by a team of professionally trained mindfulness-based stress reduction practitioners. This approach effectively alleviated anxiety and depression among patients with aneurysms, thereby enhancing their overall quality of life.

Naqin Zhang, Master, Supervisor Nurse, has 9 years of experience in neurosurgery nursing at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University. She serves as Secretary of the Nursing Vocational Education Committee of Chinese Nursing Association. She has led several research projects, published 9 first-author papers in core journals, co-authored 3 monographs, and received the Second Prize of Science and Technology Award from Beijing Nursing Association.