Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention versus Health Self-Management on Subclinical Anxiety in Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline: The SCD-Well Randomized Superiority Trial.
Natalie L. Marchant, Thorsten Barnhofer, Roxane Coueron, Miranka Wirth, Antoine Lutz, Eider M. Arenaza‐Urquijo, Fabienne Collette, Géraldine Poisnel, Harriet Demnitz-King, Ann‐Katrin Schild, Nina Coll‐Padrós, Floriane Delphin-Combe, Tim Whitfield, Marco Schlosser, Julie Gonneaud, Julien Asselineau, Zuzana Walker, Pierre Krolak Salmon, José Luís Molinuevo, Eric Frison, Gaël Chételat, Frank Jessen, Olga Klimecki
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics April 19, 2021 DOI: 10.1159/000515669 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 147 |
| Population | Older adults with subjective cognitive decline and subclinical anxiety symptoms, recruited from memory clinics at 4 European sites |
| Intervention | Health self-management program (HSMP) |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, with follow-up 6 months postrandomization |
| Measures | State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (trait subscale; trait-STAI), state anxiety subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, depression symptoms |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Anxiety disorders Aged Female Cognitive dysfunction Self-management Compassion Subjective cognitive decline |
| Registration | NCT03005652 |
| Key findings | An 8-week mindfulness-based intervention was not superior to a structurally matched health self-management program in reducing trait anxiety in older adults with subjective cognitive decline. Both groups showed similar reductions in trait anxiety after the intervention (CMBAS -3.43 points; HSMP -2.29 points), maintained at 6-month follow-up, with no between-group differences in anxiety or depression outcomes. |
Abstract
Introduction: Older adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) have a heightened risk of developing dementia and frequently experience subclinical anxiety, which is itself associated with dementia risk.
Objective: To understand whether subclinical anxiety symptoms in SCD can be reduced through behavioral interventions.
Methods: SCD-Well is a randomized controlled trial designed to determine whether an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention (caring mindfulness-based approach for seniors; CMBAS) is superior to a structurally matched health self-management program (HSMP) in reducing subclinical anxiety. Participants were recruited from memory clinics at 4 European sites. The primary outcome was change in anxiety symptoms (trait subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; trait-STAI) from pre- to postintervention. Secondary outcomes included a change in state anxiety and depression symptoms postintervention and 6 months postrandomization (follow-up).
Results: One hundred forty-seven participants (mean [SD] age: 72.7 [6.9] years; 64.6% women; CMBAS, n = 73; HSMP, n = 74) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. There was no difference in trait-STAI between groups postintervention (adjusted change difference: -1.25 points; 95% CI -4.76 to 2.25) or at follow-up (adjusted change difference: -0.43 points; 95% CI -2.92 to 2.07). Trait-STAI decreased postintervention in both groups (CMBAS: -3.43 points; 95% CI -5.27 to -1.59; HSMP: -2.29 points; 95% CI -4.14 to -0.44) and reductions were maintained at follow-up. No between-group differences were observed for change in state anxiety or depression symptoms.
Conclusions: A time-limited mindfulness intervention is not superior to health self-management in reducing subclinical anxiety symptoms in SCD. The sustained reduction observed across both groups suggests that subclinical anxiety symptoms in SCD are modifiable. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03005652.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- 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
- The Effect of Meditation-Based Interventions on Patients with Fatigue Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Psychologica Belgica 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
- Meditation for subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Public Health 2025
- Meditation dosage predicts self- and teacher-perceived responsiveness to an 18-month randomised controlled trial Scientific Reports November 2, 2024
and 10 more in the library
Cites 8
- The Age‐Well randomized controlled trial of the Medit‐Ageing European project: Effect of meditation or foreign language training on brain and mental health in older adults Alzheimer's & Dementia 2018
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with Older Adults: A Qualitative Review of Randomized Controlled Outcome Research Clinical Gerontologist September 11, 2018
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction in middle-aged and older adults with memory complaints: a mixed-methods study. Aging & Mental Health September 2018
- 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). Alzheimer's & Dementia 2018
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Older Adults With Stress Disorders and Neurocognitive Difficulties: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry July 2017
and 3 more in the library