Effectiveness of a mindfulness intervention for older adults to improve emotional well‐being and cognitive function in a Chinese population: A randomized waitlist‐controlled trial. (27th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Eric Kam‐Pui; Wong, Bel; Chan, Peter Hoi Shing; Zhang, Daisy Dexing; Sun, Wen; Chan, Dicken Cheong‐Chun; Gao, Ting; Ho, Florence; Kwok, Timothy Chi Yui; Wong, Samuel Yeung‐Shan
• Is Part Of: International journal of geriatric psychiatry. Volume 37:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-08-27
• Subjects: cognition -- mindfulness -- public mental health; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Geriatric Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.5616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6230

Abstract

Abstract: Background: To investigate the effect of a modified mindfulness‐based stress reduction (mMBSR) program on mental well‐being and cognitive function of older adults. Method: Two hundred and fourty‐six participants were randomly assigned to mMBSR ( n = 120) group or waitlist control group which received mMBSR at 2‐month ( n = 123). Data collected at baseline, 2 and 4 months after recruitment. Primary outcome: mental well‐being: Short Warwick‐Edinburgh Mental Well‐being Scale (SWEMWBS). Secondary outcomes: Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Short Form, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), international shopping list test, self‐compassion scale, peace of mind scale, geriatric depression scale (GDS), and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). In modified‐intention‐to‐treat analysis, paired t‐test for within group comparison, and ANCOVA to compare group differences at 2‐months with adjustment of baseline values. Results: Most participants were female (83.7%), living with others (67.0%), and married (50.7%). No significant difference of baseline characteristics except sleep quality. At 2 months, intervention group reported better mental well‐being (0.9, 95%CI: 0.1–1.8, p = 0.025) and less depressive symptoms (−1.0; 95%CI: −1.7 to −0.3, p = 0.004). Within group at 2 months, intervention group had improvement in: mental well‐being (SWEMWBS: 22.5–23.4, p = 0.011), cognitive function (MOCA: 24.6–25.8, p < 0.001; VFT: 38.7–42.1, p < 0.001), depressive symptoms (GDS: 4.1–3.1, p < 0.001), and sleep quality (PSQI: 8.3–6.7, p < 0.001). All these changes, except mental well‐being, were sustained at 4 months. Discussion: Attrition rate was 14% and mindfulness intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable in older adults. Major limitation of the study was the absence of an active control group to control for non‐specific effect. Key Points: MBSR improved mental well‐being and depressive symptoms in community dwelling older Chinese adults immediately after intervention The improvement in depressive symptoms seemed to sustain 2 months after intervention MBSR was feasible and acceptable to older Chinese adults