Effects of mindfulness training on sustained attention and mind-wandering in older adults: Results from the HealthyAgers randomized controlled trial.
Megan Fisher, Madhura Phansikar, James Teng, Nathan Mcpherson, Elizabeth J Duraney, Michael C. Mckenna, Anita Shankar, Courtney Blau, Rosie Canter, Christine Roberts, Stephanie Aghamoosa, Kathy D Wright, Rebecca Andridge, Ruchika S Prakash
The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences November 21, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaf235 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Older adults aged 65-85 years |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Connectome-based predictive modeling Mindfulness-based stress reduction Mindfulness training Attentional control focus Concentration Cognitive control Geriatric cognition Elderly cognitive function Senior cognitive health Mental function Brain function |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction did not differentially improve most metrics of attentional control compared to an active control in older adults. |
Abstract
Older adults exhibit age-related declines in processes of attentional control, demonstrating an emergent need to identify mind-body interventions that support healthy cognitive aging. Mindfulness training is a promising intervention for improving attentional control processes, but relatively few methodologically rigorous studies have examined whether these effects extend to older adults. This pre-registered Stage II randomized controlled trial (RCT) of older adults (N = 150), aged 65-85 years, examined the effects of eight weeks of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) versus an active control training program on immediate and long-term metrics of attentional control. Compared with the active control, MBSR did not differentially improve most metrics of sustained attention or mind-wandering, although a small effect was observed for self-reported task-unrelated thoughts. Improvements were observed in Go/No-Go (GNG) dL over time. Additionally, Groups differed on the GNG reaction time coefficient of variability and the Conners Continuous Performance Test d' and reaction time variability. Our findings suggest that mindfulness training compared to an active control may not differentially enhance attentional control among older adults.