Effects of mindfulness training on quality of life and well-being in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
Marcelo Vasconcelos Mapurunga, Daniela Rodrigues de Oliveira, Solange Andreoni, Vicente Sarubbi, Ana Claudia Bonilha, Vania D'Almeida, Luciana Tomita, Luiz Roberto Ramos, Marcelo Demarzo
Aging & mental health April 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2025.2488890 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Health Promotion (MBHP) program computer-based cognitive stimulation |
| Duration | Four-month intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognitive stimulation Older adults Quality of life Well-being |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key finding | The MBHP program did not significantly improve quality of life compared to cognitive stimulation, but it improved stress, anxiety, intrinsic religiosity, and sleep quality. |
Abstract
To investigate the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Health Promotion (MBHP) program on quality of life (QOL) and well-being in older adults compared to an active control group. A randomized controlled trial nested within a cohort study was conducted. Participants were allocated to either the MBHP intervention or an active control group (ACG) receiving computer-based cognitive stimulation. Outcomes included QOL, psychological health, sleep quality, and religiosity. Both interventions lasted four months. A mixed-methods approach was used, collecting qualitative and quantitative data at baseline and post-intervention. Statistically significant improvements in QOL were observed only in the ACG. However, the MBHP group showed improvements in stress, anxiety, intrinsic religiosity, and sleep quality compared to the ACG. Qualitative findings indicated enhanced perceptions of social support, self-awareness, self-care, and sleep quality in the MBHP group. Notably, a discrepancy emerged between the QOL quantitative results and the subjective improvements described in interviews. The MBHP program did not significantly improve QOL compared to the cognitive stimulation control. Nonetheless, well-being indicators were positively impacted in the MBHP group. Future research should explore which profiles of older adults might benefit most from regular mindfulness practice.