Feasibility and Pilot Testing of a Mindfulness Intervention for Frail Older Adults and Individuals With Dementia
Christine R. Kovach, Crystal-Rae Evans, Lisa Sattell, Kimberly Rosenau, Sandeep Gopalakrishnan
Research in Gerontological Nursing March 2, 2018 DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20180223-01 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Crossover study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Population | Older adults in long-term residential settings with a range of cognitive abilities, including moderate and severe stages of dementia |
| Interventions | body awareness activities cognitive activity |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 35 |
| Key points | The mindfulness intervention was feasible for continued practice by individuals with cognitive impairment. Statistically significant short-term changes were found in agitation, discomfort, anger, and anxiety, but nighttime sleep did not improve and participants slept less during the day. No long-term changes in outcomes were found. |
Abstract
Mindfulness interventions have been beneficial for healthy adults and individuals experiencing a stressful medical or mental health diagnosis. The purposes of the current study were to: (a) determine feasibility of mindfulness for older adults in long-term residential settings, and (b) examine differences in outcomes between a mindfulness and cognitive activity. The current study is the first mindfulness study to include individuals in moderate and severe stages of dementia, and included 36 individuals with a range of cognitive abilities. A crossover design was used, and the intervention was feasible for continued practice by individuals with cognitive impairment. Statistically significant short-term changes in agitation, discomfort, anger, and anxiety were found. Nighttime sleep did not improve, but participants slept less during the day. Long-term changes in outcomes were not found. Mindfulness may be useful in decreasing emotional reactivity and improving well-being of older adults in long-term care. TARGETS: Individuals with multiple chronic conditions, including cognitive impairment. INTERVENTION DESCRIPTION: The Present in the Now (PIN) intervention is a mindfulness intervention with three components: attentional skill exercises, body awareness activities, and compassion meditation. MECHANISMS OF ACTION: Mindfulness acts to decrease emotional reactivity through cognitive and affective mechanisms of action and neural activation of the cingulate cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. OUTCOMES: Agitation, affect, stress, sleep, discomfort, and communication of need. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2018; 11(3):137-150.].
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 6
- Occupational Therapist-Led Mindfulness Training Program for Older Adults Living with Early Cognitive Decline in Primary Care: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Alzheimer's disease reports 2023
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Mental Health and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of aging and health July 24, 2024
- The effects of meditation–based interventions on sleep quality among adults aged ≥ 55 with mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta–analysis Geriatric Nursing August 10, 2026
- A Mixed-Methods Narrative Review of Feasibility, Acceptability, and Mechanism-Level Studies of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in People with Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Mindfulness April 1, 2026
- Mindfulness Meditation for Sleep Disturbances Among Individuals with Cognitive Impairment: A Scoping Review. Healthcare January 31, 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 18
- Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology October 27, 2008
- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Attending to the present: mindfulness meditation reveals distinct neural modes of self-reference Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience August 13, 2007
- Loving-kindness and compassion meditation: potential for psychological interventions. Clinical Psychology Review July 26, 2011
- Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise PLoS One March 25, 2008
and 13 more in the library