Effect of Body Scanning and Walking Mindfulness on the Spatial Memory of Persons with Dementia

A pilot study tested whether mindfulness body scanning and walking improve spatial memory in people with dementia. Sixty individuals screened for dementia completed an 8-week intervention of either body scanning meditation or walking meditation. Spatial memory was assessed before and after using the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. Paired t-test analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in spatial memory scores from pre to post intervention, but between-group differences were not significant. The authors conclude that both interventions together improve spatial memory, but it is unclear which is more effective. The study is presented as a first pilot in Sri Lanka, suggesting future controlled trials.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine whether the mindfulness of body scanning and walking improves spatial memory functioning of people with dementia. Theoretical Framework: While the memory domain is one of the mainly affected domains of patients with dementia, the decline of spatial memory capacities is very common. Adopting an attention training framework for improving spatial memory domain of those with dementia, the researchers pilot tested a mindfulness intervention as a non-pharmacological approach. Methods: Using a within subjects pre and post design, sixty (N=60) persons who have been screened for dementia were selected as the clinical sample. The two experimental groups (body scanning meditation and walking meditation) underwent mindful body scanning and walking intervention for 8 weeks. Spatial memory was assessed using the Rey-Osterrieth Complex figure. Results and Discussion: Pared t test analysis showed that there is a statistically significant difference between pre and post spatial memory scores. The between subject results were insignificant. The results concluded that though body scan and walking interventions jointly impact spatial memory, it is difficult to conclude which intervention is more effective. Research Implications: This study can be considered as a good endeavor of a pilot study on dementia research activity in Sri Lanka with the possibility of extending it into a highly controlled clinical trial in the future with an adequate sample size, with minimized effects of extraneous factors such as assessment bias and intervention bias. Originality /Value: Being the first ever reported pilot study on the topic, this research provides novel avenue for the use of mindfulness interventions for geriatric population with cognitive impairment.