The Age‐Well randomized controlled trial of the Medit‐Ageing European project: Effect of meditation or foreign language training on brain and mental health in older adults
Géraldine Poisnel, Eider M. Arenaza‐Urquijo, Fabienne Collette, Olga Klimecki, Natalie L. Marchant, Miranka Wirth, Vincent de la Sayette, Géraldine Rauchs, Eric Salmon, Patrik Vuilleumier, Eric Frison, Aline Maillard, Denis Vivien, Antoine Lutz, Gaël Chételat
Alzheimer s & Dementia Translational Research & Clinical Interventions January 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2018.10.011 via OpenAlex
Summary
The Age-Well clinical trial examines whether an 18-month meditation-based intervention can improve mental health and well-being in older adults by targeting attentional and emotional aspects of aging. The trial randomly assigns 137 cognitively unimpaired older adults to the meditation program, a foreign language training program matched for structure and duration, or a passive control group. The study measures cognitive, behavioral, biological, neuroimaging, and sleep outcomes to assess the intervention's impact and underlying mechanisms. This is the first long-term nonpharmacological trial to address both emotional and cognitive dimensions of aging with such comprehensive assessments.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 137 |
| Population | Cognitively unimpaired older adults |
| Interventions | Meditation-based intervention Foreign language training |
| Duration | 18-month intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Randomized controlled trial Intervention counseling Psychological intervention Mental health |
| Citations | 103 |
| Key finding | The trial is ongoing and results are not yet reported; it aims to assess whether an 18-month meditation-based intervention promotes mental health and well-being in elderly people. |
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Age-Well clinical trial is an ongoing monocentric, randomized, controlled trial aiming to assess an 18-month preventive meditation-based intervention directly targeting the attentional and emotional dimensions of aging to promote mental health and well-being in elderly people. METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven cognitively unimpaired older adults are randomized to either an 18-month meditation-based intervention, a structurally matched foreign language training, or a passive control arm. The impact of the intervention and underlying mechanisms are assessed with detailed cognitive, behavioral, biological, neuroimaging and sleep examinations. RESULTS: Recruitment began in late 2016 and ended in May 2018. The interventions are ongoing and will be completed by early 2020. DISCUSSION: This is the first trial addressing the emotional and cognitive dimension of aging with a long-term nonpharmacological approach and using comprehensive assessments to investigate the mechanisms. Results are expected to foster the development of preventive strategies reducing the negative impact of mental conditions and disorders.