Mindfulness, Stress, and Aging.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions in treating various mental and physical chronic conditions in older adults.
Results Summary
The study found that mindfulness interventions are effective for improving cognitive function, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, loneliness, posttraumatic stress disorder, and several chronic physical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic pain. Mindfulness was noted as an inexpensive, accessible, and sustainable intervention for older adults.
Population
Older adults with chronic mental and physical conditions.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness | increase | cognitive function | older adults | - | proven responsive | #1 |
Mindfulness | decrease | anxiety | older adults | - | proven responsive | #2 |
Mindfulness | decrease | depression | older adults | - | proven responsive | #3 |
Mindfulness | increase | sleep quality | older adults | - | proven responsive | #4 |
Mindfulness | decrease | loneliness | older adults | - | proven responsive | #5 |
Mindfulness | decrease | posttraumatic stress disorder | older adults | - | proven responsive | #6 |
Mindfulness | decrease | cardiovascular conditions | older adults | - | proven responsive | #7 |
Mindfulness | decrease | diabetes | older adults | - | proven responsive | #8 |
Mindfulness | decrease | rheumatoid arthritis | older adults | - | proven responsive | #9 |
Mindfulness | decrease | Parkinson's disease | older adults | - | proven responsive | #10 |
Mindfulness | decrease | urge urinary incontinence | older adults | - | proven responsive | #11 |
Mindfulness | decrease | chronic pain | older adults | - | proven responsive | #12 |
Mindfulness has been applied in several adaptations, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, to treat chronic conditions in older adults. Older adults may be particularly well suited for mindfulness interventions, because they bring decades of life experience to this contemplative therapy. Mindfulness is also an appealing intervention for older adults as it is inexpensive, effective over time, and easy to access. This article examines mental and physical chronic conditions proven responsive to mindfulness, including cognitive function, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, loneliness, posttraumatic stress disorder, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's disease, urge urinary incontinence, and chronic pain.