Mindfulness-based stress reduction and loneliness in older adults: two randomized controlled trials.
Janine M. Dutcher, Kirk W Brown, Emily K. Lindsay, Carol M. Greco, Aidan G.C. Wright, Autumn M Gallegos, Kathi L Heffner, J David Creswell
The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences November 5, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbaf178 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLoneliness is a major risk factor for illness and early death in older adults, yet interventions that simply increase social contact have shown limited success. Two randomized controlled trials tested whether an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program could reduce loneliness in older adults. In the first trial, MBSR significantly reduced loneliness compared to a waitlist control. In the second trial, both MBSR and a Health Enhancement Program (HEP) reduced loneliness to a similar degree, with no significant difference between them. Neither depressive symptoms, stress, sex, age, nor homework completion influenced the results. Both MBSR and HEP appear to be promising approaches for reducing loneliness in older adults, with effects lasting months.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Health Enhancement Program |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Keywords | Psychological interventions Social isolation Well-being |
| Key finding | Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction significantly reduced loneliness in older adults compared to a waitlist control in one trial, and both MBSR and a Health Enhancement Program reduced loneliness to a similar degree in a second trial. |
Abstract
Loneliness is one of the most robust risk factors for morbidity and accelerated mortality among older adults, and effective interventions are needed. However, interventions to reduce loneliness have shown limited success, especially in this population. Indeed, research suggests that simply increasing social contact might not combat loneliness; instead, addressing the cognitive and emotional mechanisms of loneliness might be more effective. Here, in two randomized controlled trials (RCT), we explored whether mindfulness training could reduce loneliness. This study tested an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on loneliness in older adults across two RCTs. Study 1 compared MBSR to a waitlist (WL) control, and Study 2 compared MBSR to the Health Enhancement Program (HEP). From baseline to follow-up, MBSR significantly reduced loneliness compared to WL in Study 1 (b = -1.680, SE = 0.273, 95% CI [-3.325, -0.034], p = .045, β = -0.402). In Study 2, MBSR and HEP both reduced loneliness (main effect of time: b = -3.598, SE = 0.957, 95% CI [-5.481, -0.1.716], p < .001, β = -0.378), with no significant difference between conditions. Baseline depressive symptoms, perceived stress, sex, age, or homework did not reliably moderate effects on reducing loneliness. These findings suggest that both MBSR and HEP may be promising approaches to addressing loneliness in older adults with effects lasting for months.