The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Depression, Cognition, and Immunity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Feasibility Study
Rafał Marciniak, Rastislav Sumec, M. Vyhnálek, K. Bendíčková, Petra Lázničková, G. Forte, Andrej Jeleník, Veronika Římalová, J. Frič, Jakub Hort, Katerina Sheardova
Clinical Interventions in Aging August 1, 2020 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s249196 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | People with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) Cognitive training |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | MBSR reduced depressive symptoms at both post-intervention and 6-month follow-up and improved psychomotor speed at post-intervention but not at follow-up, with detectable immunological changes. |
Abstract
Background: Mindfulness-based programs have shown a promising effect on several health factors associated with increased risk of dementia and the conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia such as depression, stress, cognitive decline, immune system and brain structural and functional changes. Studies on mindfulness in MCI subjects are sparse and frequently lack control intervention groups.
Objective: To determine the feasibility and the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practice on depression, cognition and immunity in MCI compared to cognitive training.
Methods: Twenty-eight MCI subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. MBSR group underwent 8-week MBSR program. Control group underwent 8-week cognitive training. Their cognitive and immunological profiles and level of depressive symptoms were examined at baseline, after each 8-week intervention (visit 2, V2) and six months after each intervention (visit 3, V3). MBSR participants completed feasibility questionnaire at V2.
Results: Twenty MCI patients completed the study (MBSR group n=12, control group n=8). MBSR group showed significant reduction in depressive symptoms at both V2 (p=0.03) and V3 (p=0.0461) compared to the baseline. There was a minimal effect on cognition – a group comparison analysis showed better psychomotor speed in the MBSR group compared to the control group at V2 (p=0.0493) but not at V3. There was a detectable change in immunological profiles in both groups, more pronounced in the MBSR group. Participants checked only positive/neutral answers concerning the attractivity/length of MBSR intervention. More severe cognitive decline (PVLT≤36) was associated with the lower adherence to home practice.
Conclusion: MBSR is well-accepted potentially promising intervention with positive effect on cognition, depressive symptoms and immunological profile.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 23
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- Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on depression, emotion regulation, and sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial study on depressed elderly. BMC Public Health January 23, 2024
- The Impact of a Yoga-Based Mindfulness Intervention versus Psycho-Educational Session for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health November 21, 2022
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction training supplemented with physiological signals from smartwatch improves mindfulness and reduces stress, but not anxiety and depression. PLoS One 2025
- Mindfulness, cognitive load, and performance: examining the interplay of stress and self-regulation in physical education. BMC Psychology May 19, 2025
and 18 more in the library
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