Mindful Body Scans and Sonographic Biofeedback as Preparatory Activities to Address Patient Psychological States in Hand Therapy: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Translational evidence for mind-body interventions in hand therapy is limited. This pilot study aimed to determine potential benefits of including a mindful body scan or sonographic biofeedback at the outset of a hand therapy session on key psychological states.

Methods: A randomized, repeated-measures, cross-over design was used to evaluate a mindful body scan and sonographic biofeedback at the outset of a hand therapy session. Measures of pain, anxiety, and stress (i.e., salivary cortisol) were obtained from 21 hand therapy patients at the start, after 20 minutes, and at the end of each of three 60-minute treatments. Trends were examined, and mixed-effects regression compared effects across time within and across the sessions for each of the outcome measures.

Results: For all intervention types, anxiety and stress decreased across the treatment session (p<0.001); no statistically significant changes were noted in pain. Using either mind-body intervention before standard care resulted in a meaningful decrease and statistical trend toward improvement in stress. The use of a mindful body scan produced an immediate, statistically significant reduction in anxiety (β = -0.14, p = 0.03), a lowered level that was maintained throughout the therapy session.

Discussion: These data provide preliminary support for integrating mind-body interventions as preparatory activities in hand therapy. Mindful body scans may prepare patients for therapeutic interventions by more quickly reducing anxiety, and the use of either intervention may reduce patient stress more than would occur during a standard care session. These effects should be evaluated in an adequately powered clinical trial.