Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Versus Lifestyle Education for Fluid and Driving-Related Cognition in Older Adults: Results from the Healthy Agers Randomized Controlled Trial
Madhura Phansikar, Megan Fisher, Elizabeth Jean Duraney, Anita Shankar, Nathan Mcpherson, Rosie Canter, Stephanie Aghamoosa, Rebecca Andridge, Ruchika S Prakash
Mindfulness August 25, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-026-02970-z (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Older adults |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) Lifestyle education program (LifeEd) |
| Duration | 12-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT03626532 |
| Key findings | Both MBSR and LifeEd groups improved on tasks of fluid and driving-related cognition at post-intervention and/or follow-up, but there were no significant group-by-time interactions or dose-response associations. The authors conclude that structured, cognitively engaging interventions may support cognition in later life, though practice effects cannot be ruled out. |
Abstract
Abstract Objectives The current study examined the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), compared with an active control lifestyle education program (LifeEd), in improving fluid and driving-related cognition in older adults. Dose–response associations between mindfulness practice and treatment gains were also examined.
Method: One hundred fifty participants were randomized to one of two groups. Outcomes were assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups.
Results: There were no significant group-by-time interaction effects or dose–response associations ( p > 0.05). Both groups improved on tasks of fluid and driving-related cognition at post-intervention and/or follow-up ( p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Older adults in both groups showed improvements in cognition across the 12-month period, with no evidence of a differential advantage for MBSR. Structured, cognitively engaging interventions may support cognition in later life through multiple pathways, although practice effects cannot be ruled out in this study. Pre-registration See ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03626532) and Open Science Framework pre-registration: https://osf.io/3jmru/overview?view_only=09f091be1d0d4c4da7a99c3fcb6e2b4a