The SCD-Well randomized controlled trial: Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention versus health education on mental health in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
Natalie L. Marchant, Thorsten Barnhofer, Olga Klimecki, Géraldine Poisnel, Antoine Lutz, Eider M. Arenaza‐Urquijo, Fabienne Collette, Miranka Wirth, Ann‐Katrin Schild, Nina Coll‐Padrós, Leslie Reyrolle, Deborah Horney, Pierre Krolak Salmon, José Luís Molinuevo, Zuzana Walker, Aline Maillard, Eric Frison, Frank Jessen, Gaël Chételat
Alzheimer's & Dementia 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2018.10.010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) recruited from memory clinics in four European sites |
| Interventions | mindfulness- and compassion-based intervention health education program |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, with assessments at baseline, postintervention, and 4 months after the end of the intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Alzheimer's disease Cognition Compassion Dementia Emotion Medit-ageing Psychoeducation Silver santé study Subjective cognitive decline |
| Key findings | The trial is designed to test whether an 8-week mindfulness- and compassion-based intervention reduces anxiety symptoms in older adults with subjective cognitive decline compared with an 8-week health education program, and whether any changes extend to psychological, cognitive, social, and biological functioning. The authors state it will provide evidence on whether mindfulness can affect anxiety and other risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia. |
Abstract
Subjectively experienced cognitive decline in older adults is an indicator of increased risk for dementia and is also associated with increased levels of anxiety symptoms. As anxiety is itself emerging as a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, the primary question of the present study is whether an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). The secondary questions pertain to whether such changes extend to other domains of psychological, social, and biological functioning (including cognition, self-regulation, lifestyle, well-being and quality of life, sleep, and selected blood-based biomarkers) associated with mental health, older age, and risk for dementia. SCD-Well is a multicenter, observer-blinded, randomized, controlled, superiority trial, which is part of the Horizon 2020 European Union-funded "Medit-Ageing" project. SCD-Well compares an 8-week mindfulness- and compassion-based intervention specifically adapted for older adults with SCD with a validated 8-week health education program. Participants were recruited from memory clinics in four European sites (Cologne, Germany; London, United Kingdom; Barcelona, Spain; and Lyon, France) and randomized with a 1:1 allocation, stratified by site. The primary outcome, change in anxiety symptoms, and secondary outcomes reflecting psychological, cognitive, social, and biological functioning are assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 4 months after the end of the intervention. The study will provide evidence on whether a mindfulness-based intervention can effect changes in anxiety and other risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia in older adults with SCD and will inform the establishment of intervention strategies targeted at improving mental health in older adults.
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
- Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention and a health self-management programme on psychological well-being in older adults with subjective cognitive decline: Secondary analyses from the SCD-Well randomised clinical trial. PLoS One 2023
- Mindfulness in Persons with Mild Dementia and Their Caregivers: Exploring Trait Rumination as a Clinical Outcome Measure Mindfulness August 1, 2023
- Measuring psychological mechanisms in meditation practice: Using a phenomenologically grounded classification system to develop theory-based composite scores April 13, 2021
- [Les effets de la méditation de pleine conscience sur les symptômes cognitivo- émotionnels dans le trouble cognitif léger et la maladie d'Alzheimer : une revue de littérature narrative]. Canadian Journal on Aging June 1, 2024
- Impact of mindfulness-based and health self-management interventions on mindfulness, self-compassion, and physical activity in older adults with subjective cognitive decline: A secondary analysis of the SCD-Well randomized controlled trial. Alzheimer S and Dementia Diagnosis Assessment and Disease Monitoring 2024
and 4 more in the library
Cites 10
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Older Adults With Stress Disorders and Neurocognitive Difficulties: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry July 2017
- Plasma REST: a novel candidate biomarker of Alzheimer's disease is modified by psychological intervention in an at-risk population. Translational Psychiatry June 6, 2017
- Predictors and moderators of biopsychological social stress responses following brief self-compassion meditation training. Psychoneuroendocrinology July 1, 2016
- Preliminary Investigation of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Social Anxiety Disorder That Integrates Compassion Meditation and Mindful Exposure. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine May 1, 2016
- Ecological momentary assessment versus standard assessment instruments for measuring mindfulness, depressed mood, and anxiety among older adults. Journal of Psychiatric Research April 2016
and 5 more in the library