Aging & mental health
December 1, 2024
Minjung Shim, Melissa Kavanaugh, Clarissa Lacson et al.
14 citations
An online mindfulness-based dance/movement therapy program shows promise for reducing loneliness and depression and improving well-being in older adults with age-related cognitive decline. In a 12-week feasibility study with 16 participants, all feasibility criteria were met, and 65% reported improvement. Significant reductions in loneliness and depression, along with enhanced positive affect and psychological well-being, were observed. Physical activity increased but not statistically significantly. Qualitative feedback indicated improved social connectedness, quality of life, and body awareness. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Aging & mental health
April 12, 2025
Marcelo Vasconcelos Mapurunga, Daniela Rodrigues de Oliveira, Solange Andreoni et al.
5 citations
A randomized controlled trial compared a four-month Mindfulness-Based Health Promotion (MBHP) program with computer-based cognitive stimulation in older adults. Quality of life improved significantly only in the cognitive stimulation group. However, the MBHP group showed improvements in stress, anxiety, intrinsic religiosity, and sleep quality. Qualitative interviews with MBHP participants revealed enhanced perceptions of social support, self-awareness, self-care, and sleep quality, creating a discrepancy between quantitative quality-of-life results and subjective reports. The MBHP program did not significantly improve quality of life compared to cognitive stimulation, but it positively impacted several well-being indicators.
Aging & mental health
June 24, 2025
Paulina Gutierrez-Ramirez, Liliana A Ramirez Gomez, Miranda Zea et al.
A 4-week mentalizing imagery therapy (MIT) combining mindfulness and guided imagery reduced perceived stress and improved resilience, spiritual well-being, and other positive psychological traits in family dementia caregivers compared to a psychosocial support group. Changes in dispositional mindfulness from before to after the program explained the improvements for most outcomes. The pilot trial involved 46 participants and used longitudinal analyses. The authors suggest that larger studies should confirm these benefits and explore how mindfulness mediates effects over time.