Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on quality of life in nursing home residents: a feasibility study.
Sarah Ernst, Justus Welke, Christoph Heintze, Roswitha Gabriel, Angelina Zöllner, Susann Kiehne, Ulrich Schwantes, Tobias Esch
Forschende Komplementarmedizin (2006) April 2008 DOI: 10.1159/000121479 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Non-randomized feasibility study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Nursing home residents in Germany |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week MBSR course |
| Measures | SF-12, GDS-12R, MMST, Barthel Index |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | MBSR completers showed a significant increase in SF-12 physical health score and a significant decline in depressive symptoms on the GDS-12R compared to the untreated group. The completion rate was 60%, and the authors question feasibility due to lack of independent practice. |
Abstract
With demographic change, the number of elderly people is increasing. The aging process and associated stress diminishes their quality of life. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been claimed to reduce stress and alleviate suffering. It might be a useful approach to improve the condition in the elderly. To examine feasibility and potential effects of MBSR on nursing home residents in Germany, a non-randomized feasibility study was conducted including 22 participants; 15 of them participated in an 8-week MBSR course, 7 served as untreated comparison group. Health-related quality of life (SF-12), depressive symptoms (GDS-12R), cognitive impairment (MMST), activities of daily living (Barthel Index), satisfaction with life, physical pain and major complaints were assessed pre- and post-intervention. 9 out of 15 course participants completed the course (60%). They showed a significant increase in the SF-12 physical health score (p = 0.017). Depressive symptoms (GDS-12R) significantly declined within the meditation group (p = 0.04) and as compared to the untreated group (p = 0.011). In the comparison group, a significant decrease in major complaints (p = 0.011) and an increase in the SF-12 mental health score were found. The meditation group yielded positive changes in the SF-12 mental health score, in satisfaction with life and in pain intensity. In view of the setting, the completion rate of 60% appears to be acceptable. Significant results suggest that MBSR may help improve health-related quality of life and reduce symptoms of depression. Yet, as participants did not meet the requirement to practice independently, feasibility of conducting MBSR with elderly who live in a nursing home has to be questioned.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 24
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Zen Meditation for Depression, Anxiety, Pain, and Psychological Distress Journal of Psychiatric Practice July 1, 2012
- Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for Improving Health, Quality of Life, and Social Functioning in Adults Campbell Systematic Reviews 2012
- Mindfulness Training for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers: Rationale, Current Research, and Future Directions Frontiers in Psychology June 13, 2018
- Self-Referential Thinking, Suicide, and Function of the Cortical Midline Structures and Striatum in Mood Disorders: Possible Implications for Treatment Studies of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Bipolar Depression Depression Research and Treatment 2012
and 19 more in the library
Cites 17
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Clinical Trial: The Effect of a Mindfulness Meditation-Based Stress Reduction Program on Mood and Symptoms of Stress in Cancer Outpatients Psychosomatic Medicine September 1, 2000
- Four-Year Follow-Up of a Meditation-Based Program for the Self-Regulation of Chronic Pain Clinical Journal of Pain 1986
and 12 more in the library