Effects of mindfulness training on cognition and wellbeing in healthy older adults
Sasha Mallya, Alexandra J. Fiocco
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 97 |
| Population | Healthy adults over the age of 65 years |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBSR produced no clinically meaningful changes in executive function, episodic memory, mindfulness, mood, self-esteem, or quality of life compared with an active control group in healthy older adults, contrary to the authors' hypothesis of significant improvements. |
Abstract
Adults over the age of 65 years are now the fastest growing segment of the Canadian population. Although individual differences exist, aging is commonly associated with impairments in executive function and episodic memory. Previous studies have shown that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) can improve cognitive function in healthy younger adults, but no studies have yet examined this effect in older adults. The present study investigated the effectiveness of MBSR on improving executive function and episodic memory in older adult as well as its effectiveness in improving perceived stress and well-being. Ninety-seven healthy older adults were randomly assigned to either MBSR (n = 57) or an active control group (n = 40). It was hypothesized that compared with the control group, the MBSR group would display significant improvements in measures of executive function, episodic memory, mindfulness, mood, self-esteem, and quality of life. No clinically meaningful changes were found on any variable. In light of these results, the value of MBSR for this population is discussed.
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 |