Effect of Nursing Intervention Based on Mindfullness Meditation on Depressive Symptoms and loneliness among Elderly People
Manal Mohamed Abdelhamid Ali, Nagwa Ibrahim El-khayat, Lobna E.Sallam, Hayam Labib
Egyptian Journal of Health Care August 30, 2026 DOI: 10.21608/ejhc.2023.523852 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental design with pre and post-test Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Elderly people living in geriatric homes in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Measures | Geriatric depressive symptoms scale (Arabic version), University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfullness meditation Depressive symptoms Loneliness Elderly people |
| Key findings | After mindfulness meditation, depressive symptoms and loneliness improved significantly among elderly participants, with a significant association between post-intervention loneliness and depressive symptom levels. |
Abstract
Background: It is important to identify and treat many of physical and mental health challenges that may arise with aging. Many serious health issues, including premature death, are connected with untreated mental illness.
Aim: The study aimed to evaluate effect of nursing intervention based on mindfullness meditation on depressive symptoms and loneliness among elderly people.
Design: A quasi-experimental design with a pre and post-test was used to carry out the study's objectives.
Setting: The study was conducted in El-Sadat Geriatric Home, Berket El-Saba Geriatric Home and Family Welfare Association Elderly Club in Shebeen El-Kom, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Subjects: A convenience sample of allelderly people who met the inclusion criteria was chosen (50 elderly people). Instruments: three instruments were used: Demographic data, Geriatric depressive symptoms scale (Arabic version), University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA):
Results: The study determined that 70% of the elderly participants exhibited moderate levels of depressive symptoms, while 58% experienced severe loneliness. After mindfulness meditation, there was a high statistical improvement in the total depressive symptoms groups post-intervention (p<0.003), a highly significant improvement in the total loneliness groups post-intervention (p<0.01), and a highly significant association between post-intervention loneliness levels and post-intervention depressive symptoms levels among the studied elderly (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Elderly people who contributed to mindfulness meditation improved their depressive symptoms and reduced loneliness levels. Recommendations: The psychiatricnursing staff should implement a nursing intervention program for elderly people who live in geriatric homes to improve their symptoms ofdepression and reduce loneliness levels.