Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Older Adults: A Review of the Effects on Physical and Emotional Well-being.
Paul J Geiger, Ian A Boggero, C Alex Brake, Carolina A Caldera, Hannah L Combs, Jessica R. Peters, Ruth A. Baer
Mindfulness September 14, 2015 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-015-0444-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Aging Older adults Emotional wellbeing Physical wellbeing |
| Key findings | The review reports that mindfulness-based interventions are feasible and acceptable for older adults, but evidence for their effects on physical and emotional wellbeing is mixed. The authors attribute inconsistent results to methodological flaws, study limitations, and inconsistent protocol modifications, and argue that future research should include geriatric populations. |
Abstract
This comprehensive review examined the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on the physical and emotional wellbeing of older adults, a rapidly growing segment of the general population. Search procedures yielded 15 treatment outcome studies meeting inclusion criteria. Support was found for the feasibility and acceptability of mindfulness-based interventions with older adults. Physical and emotional wellbeing outcome variables offered mixed support for the use of mindfulness-based interventions with older adults. Potential explanations of mixed findings may include methodological flaws, study limitations, and inconsistent modifications of protocols. These are discussed in detail and future avenues of research are discussed, emphasizing the need to incorporate geriatric populations into future mindfulness-based empirical research.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 61
- Mindfulness Training for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers: Rationale, Current Research, and Future Directions Frontiers in Psychology June 13, 2018
- Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on depression, emotion regulation, and sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial study on depressed elderly. BMC Public Health January 23, 2024
- A meta-analysis of the association between mindfulness and motivation Frontiers in Public Health August 8, 2023
- The effect of the Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction program on the level of perceived stress and geriatric depression in older adults: a randomised controlled study Psychogeriatrics January 3, 2023
- Mindfulness, Problem-solving Skills and Academic Achievement: Do Perceived Stress Levels Matter? Kuramsal Eğitimbilim January 31, 2022
and 56 more in the library
Cites 27
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
and 22 more in the library