Effect of mindfulness intervention on salivary Aβ‐42 levels in community‐dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled trial: Developing topics. (7th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ng, Ted Kheng Siang; Tan, Crystal Tze Ying; Nur, Fadzillah; Wee, Sin Tho; Goh, Lee Gan; Kua, Ee‐Heok; Larbi, Anis; Mahendran, Rathi; Slowey, Paul
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 16(2020)Supplement 10
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-12-07
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.047499
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Few randomized controlled trials investigated the effects of mindfulness intervention on older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Specifically, there has been a scarcity of literature on the potential benefit of a mindfulness intervention on biomarker for AD hallmark. Thus, we conducted a secondary analysis on bio‐banked salivary samples of a pilot randomized controlled trial, examining whether Mindful Awareness Practice (MAP) improved salivary Aβ‐42 levels in older adults with MCI. Method: 55 community‐dwelling older adults diagnosed with MCI were randomized into either the treatment arm, MAP, or the active control arm, health education program (HEP). Interventions were carried out for 9 months. Field and laboratory investigators who were blinded to the treatment allocations collected saliva samples at baseline, 3‐month, and 9‐month follow‐ups. Salivary Aβ‐42 levels were quantified using a newly validated commercial assay. Linear‐mixed models were used to examine the effect of MAP on salivary Aβ‐42 levels. Result: Compared to the control arm, MAP participants had no significantly changed Aβ‐42 levels throughout the 9‐month intervention period. Exploratory subgroup analyses by either sex or MCI‐subtypes (amnestic and non‐amnestic) also did not show significantly changed Aβ‐42 levels. Conclusion: MAP did not improve salivary Aβ‐42 levels in community‐dwelling older adults with MCI. Although our previous findings showed the potential of MAP in improving biomarkers of systemic inflammation and synaptic functions, the current findings suggest that mindfulness intervention may not be effective in ameliorating AD hallmark. A more specific/targeted psychosocial intervention may be needed to improve AD pathology in patients with MCI.