Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Seniors-An Exploratory Semi-Randomized Examination of Decentering Effects on Cognitive Functions and Psychological Distress.
Ophir Katzenelenbogen, Daniela Aisenberg-Shafran
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) April 3, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/bs15040466 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA short mindfulness-based intervention emphasizing decentering and a guided-imagery intervention both improved cognitive and emotional outcomes in community-dwelling seniors. Thirty older adults (average age 74.7) were assigned to either an 8-week decentering intervention, a guided-imagery intervention, or a care-as-usual control group. Both interventions involved weekly 20-minute sessions and daily 10-minute home practice. After the interventions, only the intervention groups showed reduced response time and improved accuracy on the Simon task, decreased depression levels, and increased positive relationships. The findings suggest these brief, easy-to-deliver protocols can enhance psychological and cognitive status in older adults.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Community-dwelling seniors |
| Intervention | guided-imagery intervention |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Depression |
| Keywords | Mbis Aging Cognitive functions Decentering |
| Key finding | Both decentering and guided-imagery interventions improved cognitive performance (reduced response time and improved accuracy) and emotional well-being (decreased depression and increased positive relationships) in older adults. |
Abstract
The need for psychological treatment in the community, specifically in times of crisis and for those in isolation, calls for finding suitable interventions, especially for older adults. The present study examined the effect of a short mindfulness-based intervention emphasizing a 'decentering' component and an equivalent guided-imagery intervention on cognitive and emotional measures in seniors living in the community. Thirty community seniors (Mage = 74.7) performed either 'decentering' or matched guided-imagery intervention, or care as usual as a control. The 8-week interventions included weekly 20 min sessions and daily 10 min home practice. Participants underwent a cognitive and emotional assessment before and after the interventions, which included filling out questionnaires and performing the cognitive Simon task. The results showed improvements only for intervention groups: cognitively, reduced response time and improved accuracy rate were found in the Simon task. Emotionally, reported depression levels were decreased and an increase in reported positive relationships was found. Our study, hence, introduces two intervention protocols, with promising positive effects on psychological and cognitive status. This contributes evidence-based treatments, easy to deliver in nursing homes or retirement communities, for improving the life quality of older adults.