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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)

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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

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

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