Reducing anxiety, geriatric depression and worry in a sample of older adults through a mindfulness training program
C. Franco, Alberto Amutio, Israel Mañas, José J Gázquez, M. del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes
April 1, 2017 DOI: 10.4067/s0718-48082017000100007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 87 |
| Population | Older adults |
| Intervention | Mindfulness training program |
| Measures | Short Cognitive Examination, Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Geriatric Depression Scale |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness training produced significantly greater reductions in geriatric depression, anxiety, and worry than a waiting-list control, with the strongest effect on trait worry, followed by anxiety, depression, and meta-worry. The authors conclude the technique is effective for these conditions in older adults. |
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze the effects of a mindfulness training program on anxiety, worry, and geriatric depression in a sample of older adults. A randomized controlled trial with pretest-posttest measurements was used on an experimental group (n = 42) and a control group (waiting list; n = 45). Participants in the experimental group completed the Short Cognitive Examination, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Analyses showed significantly stronger reductions in geriatric depression, anxiety and worry in the experimental group than in the control group, confirming the effectiveness of mindfulness techniques in reducing these conditions and, especially, for the trait-worry variable, followed by important changes in anxiety, depression and meta-worry. This is one of the few studies examining the effects of mindfulness training in the elderly. Results are especially noteworthy because traits are quite resistant to change. Implications for future research and intervention are underlined. © 2017 by Sociedad Chilena de Psicologia Clinica.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- Influence of Mindfulness on Levels of Impulsiveness, Moods and Pre-Competition Anxiety in Athletes of Different Sports. Healthcare March 21, 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
- Intervenciones grupales breves basadas en mindfulness: una revisión sistemática Límite November 1, 2023
- Online mindfulness training for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial using a multi-method assessment approach. Aging & Mental Health September 13, 2023
- The Effects of Mindfulness Interventions on Fibromyalgia in Adults aged 65 and Older: A Window to Effective Therapy. Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings September 2023
and 4 more in the library
Cites 16
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and 11 more in the library