What Do We Know About the Validity and Reliability of Mindfulness Self-Report Measures in Persons with Dementia? A Critical Narrative Review.
Clinical gerontologist – January 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) show promise for individuals with dementia, yet their effectiveness remains uncertain. A review of 582 studies identified only four cross-sectional studies that provided insights into the validity of self-reported mindfulness measures among this population. Results indicated that convergent validity varied significantly due to sample diversity and levels of cognitive impairment. With minimal information on the reliability of these measures, caution is warranted when interpreting MBI outcomes. Addressing these psychometric concerns is crucial for improving treatment efficacy and reducing rumination in individuals with dementia.
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for persons with dementia (PwD) have yielded mixed results, possibly attributable to the fact that little is known about the validity and reliability of trait mindfulness self-report measures in PwD. This narrative review sought to identify studies involving self-reported trait mindfulness and other clinical measures that may hold information on the convergent validity and reliability of these measures in PwD. Scientific databases were searched for studies involving PwD and mindfulness assessments. N = 426 studies from PubMed and N = 156 from PsychInfo databases were reviewed. Four cross-sectional studies were identified that allowed inferences about the validity of mindfulness measures. A qualitative review indicated that convergent validity with other measures varied with sample heterogeneity and cognitive impairment. Merely one MBI included self-reported trait mindfulness, however without reporting sample-specific validity or reliability. Despite efforts to implement MBIs in PwD, information on basic methodological psychometric issues is minimal. Future studies ought to address the validity and reliability of self-reported mindfulness in detail across different stages of dementia. Results of MBIs need to be considered cautiously. Basic information about psychometric properties of mindfulness self-report measures is required and these measures need to be included systematically in MBIs.