Improving depressive symptoms and maintaining cognitive abilities of seniors within the nursing homes: A pilot study of brief mindfulness-based interventions for seniors in a semi-randomized trial.
Frontiers in Psychology January 1, 2022 Daniela Aisenberg-Shafran, Margalit Harmatz
A brief, 8-session mindfulness intervention designed for seniors (MBIS) improved depression and mood in nursing home residents, regardless of whether sessions were spread over 8 weeks or 4 weeks. The intervention also enhanced mindfulness skills such as non-reactivity, acting with awareness, and non-judging. Cognitive improvements, specifically an adaptive sequential effect in the Simon task, appeared only in the 8-week group. The findings suggest that a short, simple mindfulness program delivered by nursing home staff can effectively reduce emotional distress and improve cognitive control in older adults, offering a practical treatment option during quarantine.