A randomized clinical trial of mindfulness training versus a health promotion program: Impact on cognitive and mental health in older immigrants.
Ana C Teixeira-Santos, Leandro Gomes, Diana R Pereira, Fabiana Ribeiro, Joana Carvalheiro, Catarina Godinho, Anabela Silva-Fernandes, Etienne Le Bihan, Carine Federspiel, Jean-Paul Steinmetz, Anja K Leist
International journal of clinical and health psychology : IJCHP 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100642 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 89 |
| Population | Portuguese-speaking older immigrants (≥55 years) residing in Luxembourg |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction Health promotion program |
| Duration | 2-month weekly group interventions, with follow-up one to three months after the intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognition Health promotion program Immigrant health Mental health Mindfulness-based interventions Older adults |
| Key findings | Both MBSR and a health promotion program improved attention, anxiety, and perceived stress in older immigrants, with no significant differences between the two interventions. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has shown benefits for cognition and stress relief. Enhancing these functions may have a protective role in vulnerable populations, particularly older immigrants who face a higher risk of neurodegenerative disease. However, whether MBSR can have positive effects on cognitive and affective functions in these populations remains understudied. This trial compared the effects of MBSR with a health promotion program (HPP) in older immigrants. In this single-center, randomized, double-blind controlled trial, 151 Portuguese-speaking older immigrants (≥55 years old) residing in Luxembourg were screened and 89 participants (age range: 55-80, M age: 62.58 years ± 6.08, 72 % women) were randomized to 2-month weekly group interventions of either MBSR (n = 44) or HPP (n = 45). Data were collected at three time points: baseline, immediately after the intervention (post-intervention), and at follow-up, conducted one to three months after the intervention. Executive functioning measures, including Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test, and Stroop color-word, were the main outcomes. Secondary outcomes included general cognitive functioning, cortisol level, heart rate variability, and self-reported affective and mindfulness states. 75 % of participants in the MBSR group and 53 % in the HPP group completed at least one post-assessment. Linear mixed model analyses showed significant time effects in Letter-Number Sequencing (p = .04), as well as reductions in anxiety (p < .01) and perceived stress (p < .01), with no significant group differences or group × time interactions. These improvements were observed from baseline to post-intervention and still persisted at follow-up. Both interventions positively influenced attention, with the most notable improvements observed in anxiety and perceived stress. These findings suggest that group interventions may have the potential to improve cognitive and affective indicators, regardless of their specific content. Despite their diverse goals, the interventions shared procedural features, such as the organization and delivery of the sessions, which may have contributed to the outcomes observed. This underscores the potential value of well-designed group-based programs in cognitive and affective indicators among vulnerable older adults. While further research is needed, our findings point to the relevance of including these interventions within the realm of promoting healthy aging and dementia prevention.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 24
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Home practice in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of participants' mindfulness practice and its association with outcomes Behaviour Research and Therapy May 10, 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as a Stress Management Intervention for Healthy Individuals Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine July 22, 2014
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Older Adults: Effects on Executive Function, Frontal Alpha Asymmetry and Immune Function Neuropsychobiology 2013
- The Effect of Mindfulness-based Programs on Cognitive Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Neuropsychology Review August 4, 2021
and 19 more in the library