Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Feasibility and Pilot Testing of a Mindfulness Intervention for Frail Older Adults and Individuals With Dementia.

Research in gerontological nursing
January 1, 1970
Christine R Kovach et al. (5 authors)
Clinical TrialJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the feasibility of mindfulness for older adults in long-term residential settings and compare its outcomes with cognitive activity, including individuals with moderate to severe dementia.

Results Summary

The study found statistically significant short-term improvements in agitation, discomfort, anger, and anxiety, but no long-term changes. Nighttime sleep did not improve, though daytime sleep decreased.

Population

Older adults in long-term residential settings, including individuals with a range of cognitive abilities (moderate to severe dementia).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (12)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Mindfulness interventions
neutral
-
healthy adults and individuals experiencing a stressful medical or mental health diagnosis
-
have been beneficial
#1
mindfulness
neutral
-
individuals with cognitive impairment
-
feasible for continued practice
#2
mindfulness
decrease
agitation
individuals with a range of cognitive abilities
-
Statistically significant short-term changes
#3
mindfulness
decrease
discomfort
individuals with a range of cognitive abilities
-
Statistically significant short-term changes
#4
mindfulness
decrease
anger
individuals with a range of cognitive abilities
-
Statistically significant short-term changes
#5
mindfulness
decrease
anxiety
individuals with a range of cognitive abilities
-
Statistically significant short-term changes
#6
mindfulness
no change
Nighttime sleep
participants
-
did not improve
#7
mindfulness
decrease
sleep during the day
participants
-
slept less
#8
mindfulness
no change
outcomes
-
-
Long-term changes were not found
#9
Mindfulness
decrease
emotional reactivity
older adults in long-term care
-
may be useful in decreasing
#10
Mindfulness
increase
well-being
older adults in long-term care
-
may be useful in improving
#11
Mindfulness
decrease
emotional reactivity
-
-
acts to decrease
#12
Abstract

UNLABELLED: Mindfulness interventions have been beneficial for healthy adults and individuals experiencing a stressful medical or mental health diagnosis. The purposes of the current study were to: (a) determine feasibility of mindfulness for older adults in long-term residential settings, and (b) examine differences in outcomes between a mindfulness and cognitive activity. The current study is the first mindfulness study to include individuals in moderate and severe stages of dementia, and included 36 individuals with a range of cognitive abilities. A crossover design was used, and the intervention was feasible for continued practice by individuals with cognitive impairment. Statistically significant short-term changes in agitation, discomfort, anger, and anxiety were found. Nighttime sleep did not improve, but participants slept less during the day. Long-term changes in outcomes were not found. Mindfulness may be useful in decreasing emotional reactivity and improving well-being of older adults in long-term care. TARGETS: Individuals with multiple chronic conditions, including cognitive impairment. INTERVENTION DESCRIPTION: The Present in the Now (PIN) intervention is a mindfulness intervention with three components: attentional skill exercises, body awareness activities, and compassion meditation. MECHANISMS OF ACTION: Mindfulness acts to decrease emotional reactivity through cognitive and affective mechanisms of action and neural activation of the cingulate cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. OUTCOMES: Agitation, affect, stress, sleep, discomfort, and communication of need. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2018; 11(3):137-150.].

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedAged, 80 and overCognitionCross-Over StudiesDementiaFemaleFrail ElderlyHumansMaleMindfulnessTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations12
Citations/Year1.7
Relative Citation Ratio0.88
NIH Percentile45.6%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score1.55
Normalized Score0.64
Related Supplements