Effects of an Age-Adapted Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Program on Psychological Well-Being, Mindfulness, and Sleep Quality in Older Adults

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effects of an age-adapted mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program on depression, anxiety, stress, mindfulness, and sleep quality among older adults. METHODS: A quasi-experimental pretest - posttest design with intervention and control groups was used. Sixty-two community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older completed the study. The intervention group participated in an eight-week, age-adapted, group-based MBCT program, while the control group received no psychological intervention. Outcomes were assessed using validated self-report measures. Within-group changes were analyzed using paired samples t-tests, and between-group differences were examined using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) controlling for baseline scores. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's dz for within-group comparisons and Cohen's d for between-group differences. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significant improvements in mindfulness, sleep quality, depression, and stress symptoms compared to the control group, while anxiety scores showed improvement trends. ANCOVA confirmed these gains after adjusting for baseline differences. Large effect sizes suggest clinically meaningful effects. CONCLUSIONS: Age-adapted MBCT appears to be a feasible and clinically meaningful non-pharmacological intervention for older adults. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Group-based, age-adapted mindfulness interventions may serve as a valuable component of geriatric mental health services and can be successfully integrated into community-based programs.