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The Role of a 10-Week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention in Managing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among the Elderly: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Rachna Garg, Shubhagata Awasthi, Naveen Gupta

Journal of Neonatal Surgery May 8, 2025 DOI: 10.63682/jns.v14i21s.5344 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Quasi-experimental pre-post design Peer reviewed
Sample size 55
Population Elderly individuals aged 60 to 75 years, selected based on Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 scores and categorized into depression, anxiety, or stress groups
Intervention Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCBT)
Duration 10-week intervention
Measures Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21)
Topics Anxiety Depression Meditation
Key findings DASS-21 scores decreased significantly across all three groups after the 10-week MBCBT program, indicating improved emotional regulation and mental well-being. The authors argue the findings support integrating MBCBT into community mental health programs for older adults as an alternative to medication-based treatment.

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of a 10-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MBCBT) intervention in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among elderly individuals. Psychological distress is increasingly prevalent in older adults, yet non-pharmacological interventions remain underutilized in geriatric care. Employing a quasi-experimental pre-post design, the study was conducted with a purposive sample of 55 elderly participants aged between 60 and 75 years, selected based on their scores on the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The participants were categorized into three groups according to their dominant psychological concern—depression, anxiety, or stress. Each group underwent a structured 10-week MBCBT program combining mindfulness techniques and cognitive-behavioral strategies tailored to the needs of older adults. Post-intervention analysis revealed a significant reduction in DASS-21 scores across all three groups, indicating improved emotional regulation and mental well-being. The findings support the integration of MBCBT into community mental health programs for the elderly, offering a promising alternative to medication-based treatment.

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