A randomized, controlled trial study of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on depression and physical problems in depressed elderly individuals.

An eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program significantly reduced depression levels in depressed elderly individuals over 60 years old. The randomized controlled trial compared two groups of 30 participants each, with the experimental group attending weekly 1.5-hour MBSR sessions. Depression and physical problems were measured before and after the intervention using the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Physical Problems and Emotional Problems Inventory. The findings suggest MBSR is a suitable treatment that caregivers and psychologists in nursing homes can use to improve the mental well-being of elderly individuals.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on depression and physical problems in depressed elderly individuals. This randomized controlled trial was conducted on two groups of 30 depressed elderly individuals over 60 years old using purposive sampling. The GDS and the PE-PSI questionnaires were administered to both groups before and after the intervention. A standardized 8-week MBSR training program was held for the experimental group weekly for 1.5 hours. The results showed that between the beginning and 8 weeks of MBSR therapeutic intervention, the level of depression in the elderly individuals significantly decreased (p 0.05). This study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of MBSR as a suitable treatment for the elderly individuals, which caregivers and psychologists in nursing homes can use to improve the mental well-being of the elderly individuals.