Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Quality of Life in Nursing Home Residents: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Background: With demographic change, the number of elderly people is increasing. The aging process and associated stress diminishes their quality of life. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been claimed to reduce stress and alleviate suffering. It might be a useful approach to improve the condition in the elderly. Patients and Methods: To examine feasibility and potential effects of MBSR on nursing home residents in Germany, a non-randomized feasibility study was conducted including 22 participants; 15 of them participated in an 8-week MBSR course, 7 served as untreated comparison group. Health-related quality of life (SF-12), depressive symptoms (GDS-12R), cognitive impairment (MMST), activities of daily living (Barthel Index), satisfaction with life, physical pain and major complaints were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: 9 out of 15 course participants completed the course (60%). They showed a significant increase in the SF-12 physical health score (p = 0.017). Depressive symptoms (GDS-12R) significantly declined within the meditation group (p = 0.04) and as compared to the untreated group (p = 0.011). In the comparison group, a significant decrease in major complaints (p = 0.011) and an increase in the SF-12 mental health score were found. The meditation group yielded positive changes in the SF-12 mental health score, in satisfaction with life and in pain intensity. Conclusions: In view of the setting, the completion rate of 60% appears to be acceptable. Significant results suggest that MBSR may help improve health-related quality of life and reduce symptoms of depression. Yet, as participants did not meet the requirement to practice independently, feasibility of conducting MBSR with elderly who live in a nursing home has to be questioned.

Die Flourishing Scale (FS) von Diener et al. liegt jetzt in einer autorisierten deutschen Fassung (FS-D) vor: Einsatz bei einer Mind-Body-medizinischen Fragestellung

“…Für dessen wachsende Bedeutung im medizinisch-psychologischen Kontext ist hervorzuheben, dass Achtsamkeit heute als ein trainierbarer Bewusstseinszustand angesehen wird (vgl. mental training) und damit klinischen Interventionen prinzipiell zugänglich scheint [23,27,28,29]. …”

Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention Program to Decrease Blood Pressure in Low-Income African-American Older Adults

“…One MBSR interventional study did report an improvement in the quality of life and reduction in symptoms of depression among nursing home residents; however, this study was conducted in nursing home residents residing in Germany, and did not examine the impact of the intervention on hypertension risks. 20 To address previous gaps in mindfulness-based research, this study was undertaken in a sample of in-residence, low-income African-American older adults, who are at high risk for hypertension and in need of low-cost interventions, but have not been systematically studied with regards to the effect of mindful-based interventions.…”

Aging Mindfully to Minimize Cognitive Decline

“…Moreover, not all of the aforementioned findings have been consistently reported, and several studies indicate a lack of significant improvements in various cognitive domains (attention, cognitive flexibility, etc.) or an age-typical cognitive impairment in spite of meditative practices (Alexander et al 1989;Ernst et al 2008;Lavretsky et al 2013;Mallya and Fiocco 2016;Moynihan et al 2013;Newberg et al 2010;Oken et al 2010;Sperduti et al 2016). One possible explanation for these inconsistencies may be that different cognitive functions require different durations, frequencies, and intensities of training or practice to achieve measurable effects.…”