Skip to content

Effects of a mindfulness-based versus a health self-management intervention on objective cognitive performance in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD): a secondary analysis of the SCD-Well randomized controlled trial.

Tim Whitfield, Harriet Demnitz-King, Marco Schlosser, Thorsten Barnhofer, Eric Frison, Nina Coll‐Padrós, Sophie Dautricourt, Florence Requier, Marion Delarue, Julie Gonneaud, Olga Klimecki, Antoine Lutz, Léo Paly, Eric Salmon, Ann‐Katrin Schild, Zuzana Walker, Frank Jessen, Gaël Chételat, Fabienne Collette, Miranka Wirth, Natalie L. Marchant

Alzheimer's Research & Therapy September 6, 2022 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01057-w (opens in new tab)

Read Full Text
Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 147
Population Older adults with subjective cognitive decline recruited from memory clinics in four European countries (mean age 72.7 years; 64% female)
Interventions Caring Mindfulness-based Approach for Seniors (CMBAS) health self-management program (HSMP)
Duration 8-week intervention; 6-month follow-up (week 24)
Measures Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite 5 (PACC5Abridged), attention composite, executive function composite
Topics Meditation
Keywords Cognition Compassion Randomized controlled trial Subjective cognitive decline
Registration NCT03005652
Key findings Both an 8-week mindfulness-based program and a health self-management program produced small, similar improvements on a global cognitive composite (PACC5Abridged) from baseline to 6-month follow-up (CMBAS = 0.34; HSMP = 0.30), with no significant between-arm differences. Evidence for attention improvement was weaker, and there was no effect on executive function. The authors argue these findings support non-pharmacological approaches as a step toward dementia prevention.

Abstract

Older individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) perceive that their cognition has declined but do not show objective impairment on neuropsychological tests. Individuals with SCD are at elevated risk of objective cognitive decline and incident dementia. Non-pharmacological interventions (including mindfulness-based and health self-management approaches) are a potential strategy to maintain or improve cognition in SCD, which may ultimately reduce dementia risk. This study utilized data from the SCD-Well randomized controlled trial. One hundred forty-seven older adults with SCD (MAge = 72.7 years; 64% female) were recruited from memory clinics in four European countries and randomized to one of two group-based, 8-week interventions: a Caring Mindfulness-based Approach for Seniors (CMBAS) or a health self-management program (HSMP). Participants were assessed at baseline, post-intervention (week 8), and at 6-month follow-up (week 24) using a range of cognitive tests. From these tests, three composites were derived-an "abridged" Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite 5 (PACC5Abridged), an attention composite, and an executive function composite. Both per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses were performed. Linear mixed models evaluated the change in outcomes between and within arms and adjusted for covariates and cognitive retest effects. Sensitivity models repeated the per-protocol analyses for participants who attended ≥ 4 intervention sessions. Across all cognitive composites, there were no significant time-by-trial arm interactions and no measurable cognitive retest effects; sensitivity analyses supported these results. Improvements, however, were observed within both trial arms on the PACC5Abridged from baseline to follow-up (Δ [95% confidence interval]: CMBAS = 0.34 [0.19, 0.48]; HSMP = 0.30 [0.15, 0.44]). There was weaker evidence of an improvement in attention but no effects on executive function. Two non-pharmacological interventions conferred small, non-differing improvements to a global cognitive composite sensitive to amyloid-beta-related decline. There was weaker evidence of an effect on attention, and no evidence of an effect on executive function. Importantly, observed improvements were maintained beyond the end of the interventions. Improving cognition is an important step toward dementia prevention, and future research is needed to delineate the mechanisms of action of these interventions and to utilize clinical endpoints (i.e., progression to mild cognitive impairment or dementia). ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03005652.

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

Citations in the library

Cited by 9

and 4 more in the library

Cites 12

and 7 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

Meditation