Effects of mind–body interventions on depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

This systematic review suggests that mind-body interventions had short-term effects in alleviating depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults. Further research (randomized controlled trials with active controls and follow-up tests) are needed to assess the effects of mind-body interventions on depressive symptoms among this population. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of Mind–Body Interventions Involving Meditative Movements on Quality of Life, Depressive Symptoms, Fear of Falling and Sleep Quality in Older Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

“…Moreover, old-age depression contributes to deterioration in functioning, an exacerbation of medical conditions and increased healthcare costs. The first step to slowing or preventing the development of depression is controlling depressive symptoms [ 21 , 22 ]. As older adults often have lower physical-function capacity than younger adults, forms of exercise suitable for older people are required [ 21 ].…”

“…As older adults often have lower physical-function capacity than younger adults, forms of exercise suitable for older people are required [ 21 ]. There is evidence that MBI have short-term effects in alleviating depressive symptoms among older adults [ 22 ], but systematic reviews and meta-analyses comparing several MBI involving meditative movements are lacking.…”

“…Besides, new evidence from additional randomized controlled trials has become available. Facing the increasing prevalence of mental disorders in older adults, non-pharmacological approaches as preventive measures are wanted for reducing psychological symptoms (i.e., depressive symptoms, fear of falling, poor sleep quality) since these symptoms can severely diminish quality of life [ 22 , 32 , 34 ]. Maintenance of quality of life is considered one the most fundamental outcomes of care services for older adults [ 35 ].…”

Banging the same old colonial drum? Moving from individualising practices and cultural appropriation to the ethical application of alternative practices in social work

“…Finally, this critical reflection raises broader questions about the implementation of a range of alternative practices in social work. Given the growing interest in practices such as yoga (Behrman & Tebb, 2009;Mahaffey, 2016), mindfulness and meditation (Bo et al, 2016;Garland, 2013;Winters & Beerbower, 2017), equine therapy (Acri et al, 2016;Burgon et al, 2017) and group drumming (Bittman et al, 2001;Fancourt et al, 2016;Faulkner et al, 2012;Ho et al, 2011), the lessons from this research suggest ethical practice requires workers to consider a shared cultural exchange when adopting these practices. A shared cultural exchange requires critical reflection on the social and cultural context, the cultural norms of the group they are working with and the group they are adopting practice from, their position in relation to those groups, and the historical and contemporary power relations between the group and the social worker's background.…”

“…In the last decade, there has been emerging interest in alternative methods. For example, there is currently research into using equine therapies in social work interventions (Acri, Hoagwood, Morrissey, & Zhang, 2016;Burgon, Gammage, & Hebden, 2017), incorporating yoga into social work (Behrman & Tebb, 2009;Mahaffey, 2016) and the benefits of mindfulness and meditation (Bo, Mao, & Lindsey, 2016;Garland, 2013;Winters & Beerbower, 2017). While poststructuralism celebrates diversification of practice, critical (modernist) theories caution about adopting approaches that potentially individualise structural problems, and reproduce and/ or impose colonialism.…”