Mystical experiences such as déjà vu, ESP, clairvoyance, spiritualism, and numinous experiences are somewhat more common in the late 1980s than in the early 1970s. Among 1,481 respondents to the 1988 General Social Survey, younger age cohorts report more déjà vu, clairvoyance, and overall mystical experiences than older cohorts. Private and subjective religiosity are positively linked to overall mystical experience, whereas organizational religiosity (e.g., church attendance) is inversely related.
A mobile app-delivered mindfulness program for dementia caregivers (Healthy Minds Program for Caregivers) was feasible and acceptable in a pilot randomized trial with 95 participants. Feasibility benchmarks were met for enrollment, retention, and data collection. The intervention improved mindfulness and positive aspects of caregiving with large effects, and changes in these targets correlated with stress reduction. However, improvements in stress, depression, and anxiety were not statistically significant compared with an education podcast control, though trends favored the mindfulness program. A fully powered trial is warranted to test efficacy.
A simplified, hybrid mindfulness program delivered in six weekly sessions (face-to-face and online) reduced perceived stress and depressive symptoms and improved heart rate variability and trait mindfulness in 127 dementia caregivers in Hong Kong, compared with a brief education program. No significant effects were found on caregiving burden, dyadic relationships, positive caregiving aspects, or neuropsychiatric symptoms of care recipients. The results suggest that a less intensive, hybrid format can make mindfulness training more accessible and effective for caregivers who face time and responsibility constraints.
An app-based mindfulness-meditation program for older adults (ages 63–81) was feasible and acceptable, with participants completing an average of 25 sessions over 30 days. The program led to significant improvements in positive affect, negative affect, and life satisfaction, but no meaningful change in overall mindfulness or perceived stress. Older adults with low smartphone efficacy showed higher stress and negative affect and lower life satisfaction at the start, but experienced steeper improvements over the study period. Participants rated the training as interesting, enjoyable, valuable, and useful. The findings support further research through larger randomized trials.