Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Effect on Emotional Distress in Older Adults
Laura A Young, Michael J. Baime
Complementary health practice review April 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1177/1533210110387687 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Retrospective analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 141 |
| Population | Older adults over 60 who completed MBSR training |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Measures | Profile of Mood States-Short Form (POMS-SF) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | MBSR training significantly improved overall emotional distress and all mood subscales in older adults, with a greater than 50% reduction in the number reporting clinically significant depression and anxiety. |
Abstract
Objectives: Mindfulness training may help seniors successfully manage the physical and psychological challenges of aging in a manner that reduces distress and promotes vitality. The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on mood states in older adults.
Methods: The authors identified 141 older adults (>60 years) who completed MBSR training. All participants completed the Profile of Mood States-Short Form (POMS-SF) at baseline and following 8 weeks of MBSR. Using paired t tests, the authors evaluated changes in mood following training in MBSR. In a subset analysis, the authors further examined the impact of MBSR training in individuals with the highest scores on depression and anxiety. Primary reasons cited for MBSR enrollment are also reported.
Results: Overall emotional distress and all sub-scale mood measurements improved significantly following MBSR training. MBSR training resulted in >50% reduction in the number of older people reporting clinically significant depression and anxiety. Most enrolled in MBSR training to improve stress management skills.
Discussion: MBSR training is a promising, group-based intervention for decreasing psychological distress in older adults. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm study findings.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 23
- Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Reduced interference in working memory following mindfulness training is associated with increases in hippocampal volume Brain Imaging and Behavior March 17, 2018
- Mindfulness Training for Healthy Aging: Impact on Attention, Well-Being, and Inflammation Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience February 2, 2017
- Mindfulness Training for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers: Rationale, Current Research, and Future Directions Frontiers in Psychology June 13, 2018
- Feasibility and Pilot Testing of a Mindfulness Intervention for Frail Older Adults and Individuals With Dementia Research in Gerontological Nursing March 2, 2018
and 18 more in the library
Cites 9
- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Mindfulness meditation for the treatment of chronic low back pain in older adults: A randomized controlled pilot study ☆ Pain June 4, 2007
- Transcendental Meditation, mindfulness, and longevity: An experimental study with the elderly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1989
- Do improvements in emotional distress correlate with becoming more mindful? A study of older adults. Aging & Mental Health May 2009
- The effects of mindfulness on executive processes and autobiographical memory specificity. Behaviour Research and Therapy February 3, 2009
and 4 more in the library