Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) in Patients with Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study.
M V Giulietti, Roberta Spatuzzi, Paolo Fabbietti, Anna Vespa
Brain Sciences March 13, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030484 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 44 |
| Population | Patients with early-stage Alzheimer's dementia, aged 60 years or older |
| Duration | 6 months of MBI training, with assessments at baseline (T0) and six months (T1) |
| Measures | Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Spiritual Well-Being (SWB), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), SF36, Everyday Cognition scales (ECOG) |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Alzheimer’s disease Cognitive status Neuropsychiatric symptoms Quality of life |
| Key findings | Among 22 patients with early-stage Alzheimer's dementia, six months of mindfulness-based intervention training was associated with improved everyday cognition, quality of life, and spiritual well-being, and reduced depression scores, while MMSE scores remained unchanged. The 22 untreated control patients worsened significantly on all these dimensions. The authors conclude that mindfulness training is effective for improving quality of life and preventing decline in this population. |
Abstract
Bachground In this study, we hypothesize that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may improve well-being and the related outcomes in Alzheimer's dementia patients (AD-P) at an early stage. MBIs consist of the practice of consciously observing the psychic contents in the present moment (thoughts, sensations, feelings, and other events). This attention allows one to become aware of the psychic contents and integrate them, thus favoring the quality of life and an increase in the mood of practitioners.
Methods: The randomized controlled study enrolled 22 AD-P at an early stage (age ≥ 60 years) treated with MBIs and 22 patients without treatment (six months of MBI training). Tests (T0-T1 six months): Mini-Mental State Examination (MMPI); Spiritual Well-Being (SWB); Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); SF36. Test-Caregiver: Everyday Cognition scales (ECOG).
Results: AD-P with mindfulness: Improvement of ECOG (p = 0.026), quality of life (p < 0.001), spiritual well-being (p < 0.001); decrease in depression BDI (p < 0.001). The MMSE remains unchanged. The control group of untreated patients showed a significant worsening in all these dimensions.
Conclusions: MBI training is effective in increasing quality of life and preventing worsening in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's dementia.
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 2
Cites 11
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2009
- Minding one’s emotions: Mindfulness training alters the neural expression of sadness. Emotion February 1, 2010
- Cognitive-Affective Neural Plasticity following Active-Controlled Mindfulness Intervention Journal of Neuroscience October 31, 2012
- Greater efficiency in attentional processing related to mindfulness meditation Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology September 29, 2009
- Mindfulness Meditation Training and Executive Control Network Resting State Functional Connectivity: A Randomized Controlled Trial Psychosomatic Medicine March 22, 2017
and 6 more in the library