Mindfulness training combined with cold water immersion effects on mood and perception of executive functioning in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot study.
Ambra Gentile, Sara Vivirito, Musa Kirkar, Konstantinos Paschos, Luka Tuđan, Jakub Kulhánek, Pelin Öztürk, Marianna Alesi
Frontiers in Public Health 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1693026 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Middle-aged and older adults (mean age 60.67 years) |
| Interventions | Mindfulness Cold water immersion |
| Duration | 20-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cold water Healthy aging Middle-aged adults Older adult Mental health improvement |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | The combined mindfulness and cold-water immersion training significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms but did not significantly improve executive functioning perception. |
Abstract
Age-related cognitive decline typically begins during middle age and persists into old age. In parallel, mood (and, in particular, anxiety and depression) can be a significant predictor of neurodegenerative pathologies. To prevent these negative consequences, mindfulness trainings were used to improve mood and executive functioning in middle-aged and older adults. Less is known about cold water immersion, which apparently favors cognitive enhancement and mood restoration. The current pilot study involved a sample of 46 adult participants (63% F; mean age: 60.67 years, SD: ±8.51), who completed a combined mindfulness and cold-water immersion program of 20 weeks. Before and after the training period, participants completed questionnaires about depressive and anxiety symptoms and executive functioning perception. A linear mixed model was run to evaluate pre-post differences with the presence of potential confounders (i.e., country, occupation, physical activity practice). The results showed a positive effect of the combined training on depression (mean difference = -2.59, t = -3.10, p = 0.003), with higher effectiveness for older adults compared to middle-aged participants (mean difference = -3.26, p = 0.042). Moreover, a significant effect of the training was found concerning anxiety (F1,50.08 = 7.70, p = 0.008), without differences between the two age groups (F1,51.06 = 0.10, p = 0.75). Finally, a non-significant effect of the combined training was found between pre- and post-treatment phase concerning executive functioning perception (F1,52.64 = 3.61, p = 0.06). Cold water immersion combined with mindfulness sessions could be considered by future researchers as a possible training for healthy aging.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 5
- Intensive training induces longitudinal changes in meditation state-related EEG oscillatory activity. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- Mindfulness-Based Intervention Effects on EEG and Executive Functions: A Systematic Review. Brain Sciences March 20, 2025
- Effects of mindfulness meditation interventions on depression in older adults: A meta-analysis Aging & Mental Health July 15, 2020
- The effects of mindfulness‐based stress reduction on depression, anxiety, and stress in older adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis International Journal of Mental Health Nursing January 17, 2019
- The beneficial effects of meditation: contribution of the anterior cingulate and locus coeruleus. Frontiers in Psychology 2013