iRest Meditation for Older Adults with Depression Symptoms: A Pilot Study
International Journal of Yoga Therapy November 1, 2019 DOI: 10.17761/2019-00036 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA pilot study tested whether an iRest meditation program is feasible and acceptable for older adults with depression symptoms. Thirty generally healthy adults aged 55–90 with depression symptoms were randomly assigned to a 2-day retreat of either iRest meditation training or a vacation, followed by 20 minutes of daily home practice for 6 weeks. The iRest intervention proved feasible and acceptable. Preliminary results at 6 weeks showed improvements in sleep impairment compared to the control group, with promising trends in depression symptoms and pain severity.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Generally healthy older adults aged 55–90 with depression symptoms |
| Intervention | iRest meditation training |
| Duration | 2-day retreat followed by 20 minutes of daily home practice for 6 weeks |
| Key finding | iRest meditation was feasible and acceptable for older adults with depression symptoms, with preliminary evidence of improvements in sleep impairment and promising trends in depression symptoms and pain severity at 6 weeks. |
Abstract
Abstract Older adults, a rapidly growing population in the United States, have fewer physiological reserves and are more likely to be affected by stress, making them especially susceptible to depression symptoms. Meditation offers promising potential as an effective treatment; however, few studies have evaluated meditation interventions for this demographic. The objectives of this pilot study were to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an iRest meditation program in older adults with depression symptoms and to collect preliminary data on its effect on depression and depression-related symptoms compared to a vacation control. The study occurred at the Institute of Noetic Sciences EarthRise Retreat Center and participants' homes. Thirty generally healthy older adults, aged 55–90, with depression symptoms were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to a 2-day retreat of either iRest meditation training or vacation. After the retreat, participants were asked to complete 20 minutes of home practice per day for 6 weeks; this consisted of either guided meditations (iRest) or music (vacation). Data were collected pre- and post-retreat and then 6 weeks later. Measures included depression-related variables (expectancy, depression symptoms, perceived stress, resilience, pain, sleep quality, and spirituality) and biomarkers (voice stress analysis, heart rate, heart rate variability). We found the iRest intervention for older adults with depression symptoms to be feasible and acceptable. Preliminary results at 6 weeks demonstrated improvements in sleep impairment in older adults compared to the control group and promising trends in improvements in depression symptoms and pain severity.