Mindfulness Training for Healthy Aging: Impact on Attention, Well-Being, and Inflammation
Stephanie Fountain-Zaragoza, Ruchika Shaurya Prakash
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience February 2, 2017 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Placebo-controlled Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults |
| Intervention | Mindfulness training |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 68 |
| Key findings | The authors propose that mindfulness training is uniquely suited as a rehabilitative tool for older adults, potentially mitigating attentional control decline while capitalizing on preserved emotion regulation. Existing evidence points to some improvements in facets of attentional control, though some studies show no benefits, and to enhancements in psychological and physical well-being and systemic inflammation. The authors argue that research remains nascent, with few randomized controlled trials using active comparison conditions, and call for placebo-controlled groups to establish causality. |
Abstract
The growing interest in mindfulness interventions for use in aging samples has been met with promising evidence of cognitive, emotional, and physiological benefits. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the impact of mindfulness training on three areas of functioning in older adults: behavioral and neural correlates of attentional performance, psychological well-being, and systemic inflammation. We have previously proposed that mindfulness training is uniquely suited as a rehabilitative tool for conferring both cognitive and emotional benefits for older adults. Specifically, mindfulness training's promotion of focused attention may mitigate the decline of attentional control abilities across late development and allow older adults to capitalize on their preserved emotion regulation abilities. Existing evidence points to some improvements in facets of attentional control in older adults, although some studies have shown no benefits in performance. Further, there is evidence of enhancements in both psychological and physical aspects of well-being, and accompanying improvements in systemic inflammation, following mindfulness training. The scientific investigation of mindfulness training is still relatively nascent, with only a limited number of studies, particularly randomized controlled trials utilizing active comparison conditions. It will be important for future research to incorporate placebo-controlled comparison groups to clearly establish the causal role of mindfulness practices in promoting holistic health in older adults.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 18
- The Effect of Mindfulness-based Programs on Cognitive Function in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Neuropsychology Review August 4, 2021
- Mindfulness Training for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers: Rationale, Current Research, and Future Directions Frontiers in Psychology June 13, 2018
- Feasibility and Pilot Testing of a Mindfulness Intervention for Frail Older Adults and Individuals With Dementia Research in Gerontological Nursing March 2, 2018
- A meta-analysis of the association between mindfulness and motivation Frontiers in Public Health August 8, 2023
- Cardiac and ocular correlates of mind wandering in meditators and non-meditators during a sustained attention to response task Current Psychology August 1, 2026
and 13 more in the library
Cites 26
- A default mode of brain function Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 16, 2001
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
and 21 more in the library