scholarly journals Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Effect on Emotional Distress in Older Adults

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A. Young ◽  
Michael J. Baime

Objectives: Mindfulness training may help seniors successfully manage the physical and psychological challenges of aging in a manner that reduces distress and promotes vitality. The purpose of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on mood states in older adults. Methods: The authors identified 141 older adults (>60 years) who completed MBSR training. All participants completed the Profile of Mood States-Short Form (POMS-SF) at baseline and following 8 weeks of MBSR. Using paired t tests, the authors evaluated changes in mood following training in MBSR. In a subset analysis, the authors further examined the impact of MBSR training in individuals with the highest scores on depression and anxiety. Primary reasons cited for MBSR enrollment are also reported. Results: Overall emotional distress and all sub-scale mood measurements improved significantly following MBSR training. MBSR training resulted in >50% reduction in the number of older people reporting clinically significant depression and anxiety. Most enrolled in MBSR training to improve stress management skills. Discussion: MBSR training is a promising, group-based intervention for decreasing psychological distress in older adults. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm study findings.

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberlee Bethany Bonura ◽  
David Pargman

The present study investigates the effect of chair Yoga versus walking and chair aerobics on psychological health in older adult men and women. Participants (M age = 83; N = 42) were randomly assigned to one of four activity groups: chair Yoga, chair aerobics, walking, and social games (non-activity control group). Classes met for 30 minutes, 3 days per week, for 6 weeks. ANCOVAs revealed significant time by group interaction for stress frequency; the Yoga group showed the most stress reduction over time. Time by group interactions for the other variables (stress severity, depression, and anxiety) were nonsignificant, although Yoga participants experienced the most benefits over the course of the intervention. Replication with a larger sample size is warranted in order to better understand the impact of Yoga on psychological health in older adults.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Yasemin Afacan

Abstract To live in a good mood is not only a key consideration for future age-friendly communities, but also a critical necessity for positive ageing. Despite growing evidence of correlations between contact with nature and stress reduction, little is known about the effect of nature integration in indoor environments. Thus, this study aimed to answer the following research questions: (a) How do biophilic characteristics of home environments correlate with older adults’ experience of the multiple levels of the theory of gerotranscendence? and (b) What is the relationship between these experiences and the mood states of these older adults? The study was based on a comparative analysis to scrutinise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these questions. The data were gathered through questionnaires with 450 older adults aged between 65 and 95 years, and stratified by the biophilic characteristics of their living environments: indoor biophilic, outdoor biophilic and non-biophilic. Two sets of data were collected with the same participants, respectively, before the COVID-19 pandemic (June to October 2018) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (June to October 2020). It found that the biophilic characteristics of home environments are correlated dynamically with older adults’ ageing experience and mood states. The study indicates that outdoor biophilic features facilitate the recovery of tension mood effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas indoor biophilic features facilitate recovery from depression and anger.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Merkes

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a structured group program that uses mindfulness meditation to improve well-being and alleviate suffering. This article reviews the impact of MBSR for people with chronic diseases. The review includes original research that was published in English and peer-reviewed and reported outcomes for adults with chronic diseases who had participated in an MBSR program. Fifteen studies were identified. Outcomes related to mental and physical health, well-being, and quality of life. The studies included different research designs, and used self-report and physiological outcome measures. Participants’ clinical diagnoses included fibromyalgia, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, and cardiovascular diagnoses. All 15 studies found that participation in an MBSR program resulted in improvements. No negative change was reported between baseline and follow up. Outcomes in regard to specific variables were difficult to compare and equivocal. Overall, positive change predominated. Chronic diseases are associated with a range of unwelcome psychological and physical consequences. Participation in an MBSR program is likely to result in coping better with symptoms, improved overall well-being and quality of life, and enhanced health outcomes. As an adjunct to standard care, MBSR has potential for much wider application in Australian primary care settings.


Author(s):  
Sinead Brophy ◽  
Roxanne Cooksey ◽  
Jonathan Kennedy ◽  
Helen Davies

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine the impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods193 People with AS were invited to take part in an MBSR 8 week course. The data linkage component of this study examined number of visits to the general practitioner before and after the course in participants and non-participants of the course (500 people taking part in a cohort study but not invited to the course). ResultsOf 193 people invited, 43 (22%) consented and took part in the course, GP records were available for 41 (95%) of MBSR participants and 457 (91%) of the 500 comparison group. There was a mean of 7.6 (median 3) visits to the GP in the 12 month period before the course for those undertaking MBSR and 4.6 (median 0) visits in the 12 month period after the course. This compared with 5.5 (median 0) visits (12 months before a random date) and 4.1 (median 0) visits (12 months after a random date) in the comparison group. Using Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test showed a significant reduction in GP visits in the MBSR group after the course compared to the comparison group. ConclusionsThose who chose to attend an MBSR course had a higher number of visits to the GP before attending the course, than the comparison group. However, after attending the stress reduction course the number of visits to the GP reduced to levels equivalent to the comparison group. This study suggests that mindfulness based stress reduction could be effective in reducing the number of visits to the GP for people with arthritis who regularly see their GP. The findings from this study suggest a full RCT and cost effectiveness analysis is warranted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Fatima I. AlNashri ◽  
Hayfa H. Almutary ◽  
Elham A. Al Nagshabandi

Context: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a life-threatening problem of global concern. Living with CKD is associated with many psychological problems, including depression and anxiety, which can directly or indirectly affect the quality of life. Only one review in the existing literature has assessed these associations among CKD patients using different dialysis modalities. However, the experience of these symptoms could be higher among patients on hemodialysis therapy. In this purview, there is a need to narrow the previous work to be more focused on hemodialysis patients. Aim: This scoping review aims to determine the gaps in the knowledge about the impact of anxiety and depression concerning QOL among people undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: The studies selected were those examined the relationships between depression or/and anxiety with quality of life in adult patients on hemodialysis. The CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Pub Med databases were searched for literature published between January 2012 and December 2019. The quality of the included studies was also apprised. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Six studies examined the impact of depression and anxiety on the quality of life. Five studies identified from the review have examined the relationships between depression and quality of life. It was established that the prevalence of anxiety and depression was high among hemodialysis patients, and the same was associated with low quality of life. Conclusion: The literature review highlights the negative associations between anxiety, depression, and quality of life among hemodialysis patients. It is, therefore, essential to screen hemodialysis patients frequently for anxiety and depression using a short-form questionnaire. This screening would allow for providing early interventions, and the potential deterioration of quality of life could be prevented. Further longitudinal studies are needed to assess these relationships. Additionally, further research is needed to determine effective interventional programs to improve the overall quality of life.


2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily K. Lindsay ◽  
J. David Creswell ◽  
Harrison J. Stern ◽  
Carol M. Greco ◽  
Janine M. Dutcher ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. e734-e743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Loebach Wetherell ◽  
Tamara Hershey ◽  
Steven Hickman ◽  
Susan R. Tate ◽  
David Dixon ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S45-S45
Author(s):  
Courtney J Bolstad ◽  
Anisha L Thomas ◽  
Michael R Nadorff

Abstract Symptoms of insomnia are associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults, yet less is known about the impact of specific forms of insomnia (i.e. onset, maintenance, and terminal insomnia). We explored how insomnia type predicted symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults (n = 133; mean age 69, range 65-89). We hypothesized that onset and maintenance insomnia would have stronger relations to depression and anxiety than terminal insomnia. Regression analyses indicated that onset insomnia was the only significant predictor of anxiety symptoms, and maintenance was the only significant predictor of depressive symptoms. Thus, our findings suggest that despite overlap between depression and anxiety, insomnia may have different mechanisms of affecting each disorder. Implications for the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms by addressing insomnia problems will be discussed.


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