Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Older Adults: Effects on Executive Function, Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Immune Function
Neuropsychobiology January 1, 2013 Jan A. Moynihan, Benjamin P. Chapman, Rafael Klorman et al. 213 citations
A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for older adults found small but significant improvements in executive function, mindfulness, and sustained left frontal alpha asymmetry (an indicator of positive emotions) immediately after the intervention. MBSR participants showed a lower Trail Making Test B/A ratio, reduced shift to rightward frontal alpha activation, and higher baseline antibody levels after intervention. However, they had lower antibody responses 24 weeks after antigen challenge, an unexpected finding. The study suggests MBSR may benefit cognitive and emotional functioning in older adults but its effects on immune function require further investigation.