Clinical Gerontologist
January 1, 2025
Mo Yi, Wenmin Zhang, Baosheng Zhao et al.
10 citations
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 studies found that mindfulness-based interventions significantly reduce depression and anxiety and improve mindfulness and quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease compared to control conditions. No statistically significant effect on motor symptoms was observed. Subgroup analyses showed that participants from Asia, those receiving face-to-face sessions, and sessions lasting 1.5 hours had more positive effects. Mindfulness-based interventions represent a promising non-pharmacological approach for improving psychological well-being and quality of life in Parkinson's disease, though their efficacy for motor symptoms remains inconclusive.
Clinical Gerontologist
May 31, 2025
Demetra Christodoulou, Suzanne Reeves, Naashoma P Carvalho et al.
2 citations
Third-wave psychotherapies, particularly mindfulness-based interventions, show promise for reducing psychological distress and improving well-being and quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease, but evidence is limited. A systematic review of ten randomized controlled trials found that nine tested mindfulness-based approaches and one tested acceptance and commitment therapy. Methodological quality was moderate to high, but sample sizes were small, and only one trial was adequately powered. The largest trial reported significant benefits of Mindfulness Yoga for depression, anxiety, psychological well-being, and quality of life. Other findings were mixed. Pilot and feasibility studies indicated mindfulness interventions were well received. No conclusions could be drawn about non-mindfulness therapies due to insufficient data. Larger trials are needed to confirm clinical meaningfulness.
Clinical Gerontologist
January 1, 2025
Anne Malaktaris, Caitlin L Mclean, Pollyanna Casmar et al.
2 citations
A preliminary feasibility study of Compassion Meditation (CM) for distressed older US military veterans found that most participants initiated the program, but only about half completed it, with dropouts often citing difficulties engaging via telehealth. Of 25 enrolled veterans aged 55 and older with anxiety or depressive symptoms, 88% attended at least one session, and 52% completed the intervention (six or more sessions). Completers attended an average of 9.46 sessions. The transition from in-person to telehealth due to COVID-19 may have contributed to attrition. Older veterans appear open to meditation-based practices when they are easy to access.
Clinical Gerontologist
January 1, 2025
Philipp M Keune, Regina Meister, Jana Keune et al.
2 citations
Mindfulness-based interventions for people with dementia have shown inconsistent results, partly because the accuracy of self-reported mindfulness measures in this population is poorly understood. This narrative review examined studies that used self-reported trait mindfulness alongside other clinical measures to assess convergent validity and reliability in people with dementia. After screening 582 studies from PubMed and PsychInfo, only four cross-sectional studies allowed inferences about validity. Convergent validity varied with sample heterogeneity and cognitive impairment. Only one mindfulness-based intervention included a self-report trait mindfulness measure, but it did not report sample-specific validity or reliability. The review concludes that basic psychometric information is minimal and that results of mindfulness-based interventions should be interpreted cautiously.
Clinical Gerontologist
January 1, 2025
Lydia Wailing Li, Rita Xiaochen Hu, Mariko Foulk
2 citations
A pilot program tested whether a meditation intervention delivered by telephone could reduce social isolation in older adults. Fourteen of sixteen enrolled participants (87.5% retention) completed six weeks of weekly group loving-kindness meditation training and daily practice via telephone conference, followed by six weeks of extended group practice. Participants were community-living adults aged 60 and older with multiple chronic conditions who reported feeling socially isolated. Completers showed high attendance (95%) and acceptability, and a statistically significant increase in social interaction at follow-up. Qualitative responses indicated changes in emotion regulation, motivation, confidence, and sense of belonging. The intervention appears feasible, acceptable, and potentially beneficial for this population.
Clinical Gerontologist
June 5, 2026
Fadime Yel, Emriye Gümüş, Özgür Nalbant
An age-adapted mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program improved mindfulness, sleep quality, depression, and stress symptoms in adults aged 60 and older. The eight-week group program, compared to no intervention, produced large effect sizes indicating clinically meaningful benefits. Anxiety showed improvement trends but not significant gains. The findings suggest that group-based, age-adapted MBCT is a feasible non-pharmacological intervention for older adults that can be integrated into community mental health services.
Clinical Gerontologist
January 1, 2026
Jia-Hui Nie, Yu-Jia Xu, Qian-Yu Liu et al.
An 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program improved sleep quality, fatigue, depression, and anxiety in 80 family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease from a Shanghai community, both immediately after the intervention and at a 25-week follow-up, compared with usual care. Mediation analysis suggested that anxiety, rather than depression, mediated MBSR's effect on sleep quality. The findings validate long-term benefits of MBSR for sleep and emotional health in this caregiver population.
Clinical Gerontologist
January 1, 2024
Danielle H Llaneza, Amanda J Llaneza, Elissa Kozlov
Caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment found a mindfulness therapy mobile app easy to use and beneficial, with convenience and flexibility being key reasons for regular use. Six themes emerged from interviews with 15 caregivers: convenience, barriers, perceived helpfulness, useful features, suggested improvements, and skill transfer. Barriers were noted, but the app was seen as a promising self-directed intervention, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that mHealth mindfulness therapy may offer additional support for caregivers.
Clinical Gerontologist
September 11, 2018
H. Hazlett-Stevens, Jonathan B. Singer, Adrienne K. Chong
A review of seven randomized controlled trials found that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) helps older adults with chronic low back pain, chronic insomnia, improved sleep quality, enhanced positive affect, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improved memory and executive functioning. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) reduced anxiety symptoms in older adults with elevated anxiety but without elevated depression. The authors conclude that these interventions are feasible and beneficial for older adults, but more large-scale trials are needed for those with common physical, behavioral, and cognitive challenges.