Lotte Berk1, Rafke Hotterbeekx2, Jim van Os1,3, Martin van Boxtel1. 1. a Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience , Maastricht University Medical Centre , Maastricht , The Netherlands. 2. b U-Center , Special Hospital and Behavioral Health Residential Treatment Center , Epen , The Netherlands. 3. c Department of Psychosis Studies , Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, King's Health Partners , London , UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: In a rapidly aging world population, an increasingly large group faces age-related decline in cognitive functioning. Cognitive complaints of older adults are often related to worries and concerns associated with age-related functional decline. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can successfully target stress, worry and ruminative thinking, but the applicability of this method in middle-aged and older adults with memory complaints is unclear. METHOD: Patients of a university hospital memory clinic (n = 13), aged 45-85 years, with memory complaints but no diagnosis of cognitive disorder, participated in a standard 8-week MBSR program, consisting of weekly group meetings and a one-day silent retreat. After completion, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted. Questionnaires (administered before, one week after and five weeks after the intervention) assessed quality of life, psychological distress (stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms), mindfulness, self-compassion, and subjective memory functioning. Neurocognitive functioning was assessed online, before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis showed positive effects of the training (e.g. increased serenity), many participants worrying less about memory complaints. The self-reported measures were in line with the results of the qualitative analysis. CONCLUSION: This exploratory mixed-methods study suggests that MBSR is feasible and well received among older individuals with cognitive complaints.
OBJECTIVES: In a rapidly aging world population, an increasingly large group faces age-related decline in cognitive functioning. Cognitive complaints of older adults are often related to worries and concerns associated with age-related functional decline. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can successfully target stress, worry and ruminative thinking, but the applicability of this method in middle-aged and older adults with memory complaints is unclear. METHOD:Patients of a university hospital memory clinic (n = 13), aged 45-85 years, with memory complaints but no diagnosis of cognitive disorder, participated in a standard 8-week MBSR program, consisting of weekly group meetings and a one-day silent retreat. After completion, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted. Questionnaires (administered before, one week after and five weeks after the intervention) assessed quality of life, psychological distress (stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms), mindfulness, self-compassion, and subjective memory functioning. Neurocognitive functioning was assessed online, before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis showed positive effects of the training (e.g. increased serenity), many participants worrying less about memory complaints. The self-reported measures were in line with the results of the qualitative analysis. CONCLUSION: This exploratory mixed-methods study suggests that MBSR is feasible and well received among older individuals with cognitive complaints.
Authors: Morganne A Kraines; Summer K Peterson; Geoffrey N Tremont; Courtney Beard; Judson A Brewer; Lisa A Uebelacker Journal: Mindfulness (N Y) Date: 2022-02-16