Mindfulness-based Short Intervention for Seniors - Decentering Effects on Cognitive Functions and Psychological Distress

The present study examined the effect of a short Mindfulness-based intervention emphasizing a 'decentering' component on elderly seniors. Methods: 30 community seniors (Mage= 74.7) performed either 'decentering' intervention, guided imagery intervention, or control care as usual. The 8-week interventions included weekly 20-minute sessions and daily 10-minute home practice. Participants underwent a cognitive and emotional assessment before and after the interventions, which included filling out questionnaires and performing the Simon task. Trial registration: The study follows the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, approved by the committee in Beer-Yaacov Hospital, Israel (number 579) on 24 Oct. 2017.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Cognitive Change; Psychological Distress; Old Age; Debility
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: decentering; Behavioral: guided imagery

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Israel
  • Emek-Hefer, Israel, 4025000
    • Ruppin academic center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 65 years and older (Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 65 and above
• membership in the study's specific enrollment community centers
• scoring 24 and above in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Exclusion Criteria:

• age under 65
• not being a member in the study's specific enrollment community centers
• scoring under 24 in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: decentering group; MBSR focused on a "decentering" component (i.e. individuals observe their feelings and thoughts as ephemeral events, with no reactivity, alongside with acceptance).	Behavioral: decentering; examined a mindfulness-based intervention focused on a decentering component, that is suitable for elders, aimed to influence on cognitive measures and psychological distress.
Experimental: guided imagery group; a group practicing in guided imagery sessions.	Behavioral: guided imagery; relaxing guided imagery including breathing exercises.
No Intervention: control group; usual care group

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Simon task- change from baseline to after intervention	a cognitive task, assessing control processes under speeded conditions, measured by response time and accuracy rate. shorter response time and higher accuracy rate indicate better performance.	at baseline and through intervention's completion, 10 weeks.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
FFMQ- change from baseline to after intervention	The Five-Fact Mindfulness Questionnaire, a manipulation check of mindfulness, ranging from 1 to 5, with higher score indicating higher mindfulness level	at baseline and through intervention's completion, 10 weeks.
PWB questionnaire- change from baseline to after intervention	The Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire, ranging from 1 to 6, with higher score indicating higher well-being level	at baseline and through intervention's completion, 10 weeks.
MMSE- change from baseline to after intervention	the Mini-Mental State examination: a cognitive function measure for elders, used to determine participation eligibility. the animation score ranges between 0 to 30, with higher score indicating better cognitive functioning	at baseline and through intervention's completion, 10 weeks.
PHQ-9- change from baseline to after intervention	The Patient Health Questionnaire - a depression levels measure, ranging from 0 to 3, with higher score indicating higher depression level	at baseline and through intervention's completion, 10 weeks.
BDI-II- change from baseline to after intervention	The Beck Depression Inventory-II- a depression levels measure, ranging from 1 to 4, with higher score indicating higher depression level	at baseline and through intervention's completion, 10 weeks.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
• Collaborators: Ruppin Acdemic Center

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Aisenberg-Shafran D, Shturm L. The effects of mindfulness meditation versus CBT for anxiety on emotional distress and attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment: a semi-randomized trial. Sci Rep. 2022 Nov 16;12(1):19711. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-24256-9.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 1, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): August 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 1, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 13, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): November 15, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 15, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 13, 2019
• Last Verified: November 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: elderly; MBSR; cognitive functions; psychological status
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Frailty
• Other Study ID Numbers: 597

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No