The effects of mindfulness‐based stress reduction on depression, anxiety, and stress in older adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Simon Y. W. Li, D. Bressington
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing January 17, 2019 DOI: 10.1111/inm.12568 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is more effective than a wait-list control at reducing depression in older adults with clinically significant symptoms immediately after the intervention. However, there is no clear evidence that MBSR reduces perceived stress or anxiety in this population, nor that any positive effects persist over the longer term. The evidence comes from six randomized controlled trials published between 1990 and 2017, but the overall amount of evidence is limited and of relatively low quality. More robust studies with larger samples and longer follow-up are needed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | MBSR is more effective than a wait-list control at reducing depression in older adults with clinically significant symptoms immediately following the intervention, but there is no clear evidence it reduces stress or anxiety or that effects are maintained long-term. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been widely used to improve various physical and mental conditions. Studies show the intervention is particularly effective in alleviating depression, anxiety, and stress in working-aged adults. No recent systematic review has focused on the use of MBSR in older adults. This study aims to examine the effects of MBSR intervention on depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms of older adults. Five electronic databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1990 and 2017. Six eligible studies were included and computed for meta-analysis. The methodological quality and risk of biases across the included RCTs were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Overall, the amount of evidence is limited and of relatively low quality. The results of this review provide evidence that the MBSR is more effective than wait-list-control group to reduce depression in older adults with clinically significant symptoms immediately following the intervention. However, there is no clear evidence that the intervention reduced the perception of stress and anxiety, or that positive effects are maintained over the longer term. More robust studies involving larger sample sizes and using longer follow-up measurements are required.