Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Older Adults: Effects on Executive Function, Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Immune Function
Jan A. Moynihan, Benjamin P. Chapman, Rafael Klorman, Michael S. Krasner, Paul R. Duberstein, Kirk Warren Brown, Nancy L. Talbot
Neuropsychobiology January 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1159/000350949 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for older adults found small but significant improvements in executive function, mindfulness, and sustained left frontal alpha asymmetry (an indicator of positive emotions) immediately after the intervention. MBSR participants showed a lower Trail Making Test B/A ratio, reduced shift to rightward frontal alpha activation, and higher baseline antibody levels after intervention. However, they had lower antibody responses 24 weeks after antigen challenge, an unexpected finding. The study suggests MBSR may benefit cognitive and emotional functioning in older adults but its effects on immune function require further investigation.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 201 |
| Population | Older adults |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Immediately after intervention and at 21 weeks and 24 weeks follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Randomized controlled trial Perceived stress scale Clinical psychology Internal medicine |
| Citations | 213 |
| Key finding | MBSR produced small but significant improvements in executive function, mindfulness, and left frontal alpha asymmetry in older adults, but unexpectedly lower antibody responses at follow-up. |
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has enhanced cognition, positive emotion, and immunity in younger and middle-aged samples; its benefits are less well known for older persons. Here we report on a randomized controlled trial of MBSR for older adults and its effects on executive function, left frontal asymmetry of the EEG alpha band, and antibody response. METHODS: Older adults (n = 201) were randomized to MBSR or waiting list control. The outcome measures were: the Trail Making Test part B/A (Trails B/A) ratio, a measure of executive function; changes in left frontal alpha asymmetry, an indicator of positive emotions or approach motivation; depression, mindfulness, and perceived stress scores, and the immunoglobulin G response to a protein antigen, a measure of adaptive immunity. RESULTS: MBSR participants had a lower Trails B/A ratio immediately after intervention (p < 0.05); reduced shift to rightward frontal alpha activation after intervention (p = 0.03); higher baseline antibody levels after intervention (p < 0.01), but lower antibody responses 24 weeks after antigen challenge (p < 0.04), and improved mindfulness after intervention (p = 0.023) and at 21 weeks of follow-up (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: MBSR produced small but significant changes in executive function, mindfulness, and sustained left frontal alpha asymmetry. The antibody findings at follow-up were unexpected. Further study of the effects of MBSR on immune function should assess changes in antibody responses in comparison to T-cell-mediated effector functions, which decline as a function of age.