Rewiring the Aging Mind: A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Transformative Impact of Mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on Depression and Anxiety
Rachna Garg, Shubhagata Awasthi, Naveen Gupta
Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health December 2, 2025 DOI: 10.18311/jeoh/2025/49565 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Elderly adults aged 60-75 years diagnosed with depression or anxiety |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCBT) |
| Duration | 10-week intervention |
| Measures | Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | MBCBT produced a statistically significant reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms among elderly participants, with the intervention group improving more than the no-intervention control group. The authors report large effect sizes and argue that MBCBT is a clinically relevant non-pharmacological option for geriatric mental health care. |
Abstract
The rising incidence of depression and anxiety among the elderly is a growing public health concern. While pharmacological treatments are widely used, they often present challenges such as side effects and dependency, highlighting the need for evidence-based psychotherapeutic alternatives. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCBT) integrates mindfulness techniques with cognitive restructuring to enhance emotional regulation and reduce psychological distress. Despite its therapeutic potential, limited empirical research has evaluated its efficacy through a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) in elderly populations. This study aims to bridge this gap by assessing the impact of MBCBT on depression and anxiety in older adults. This study examines the effectiveness of MBCBT in reducing depression and anxiety among elderly individuals, evaluating pre- and post-intervention changes and its potential as a non-pharmacological alternative. A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted with 150 elderly participants (aged 60-75 years) diagnosed with depression or anxiety, assigned to either an experimental group (10-week MBCBT intervention) or a control group (no intervention). The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were used for pre- and post-intervention assessments, analyzed through repeated measures ANOVA. Results indicate a statistically significant reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms among participants undergoing MBCBT. These findings support its effectiveness as a non-pharmacological psychotherapeutic intervention for elderly mental health care and highlight its potential for broader clinical applications. Major Findings: The study found that MBCBT significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stress in elderly participants. The intervention group showed greater improvement than the control group. Large effect sizes confirmed MBCBT’s clinical relevance for geriatric mental health.