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Mindfulness practice alters brain connectivity in community-living elders with mild cognitive impairment.

Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
April 1, 2020
Johnson Fam et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether mindfulness practice could improve functional brain connectivity and cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Results Summary

Participants in the mindfulness group showed significantly better temporal global efficiency in brain networks, localized improvements in specific brain regions, and enhanced verbal recognition memory compared to controls.

Population

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

3 months

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (4)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness practice
increase
temporal global efficiency
participants with MCI
-
had significantly better
#1
mindfulness practice
increase
verbal recognition memory
participants with MCI
-
improved
#2
mindfulness practice
increase
brain network efficiency
Elders
-
had better
#3
mindfulness practice
increase
neurocognitive function
Elders
-
had better
#4
Abstract

AIM: There is increasing evidence that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with widespread brain dysconnectivity. Mindfulness practice, which involves focused attention to experience the present moment in a purposeful way, has been shown to confer positive psychological and functional brain changes in healthy practitioners. It is unclear whether mindfulness practice could improve functional brain connectivity in older adults with cognitive impairment. METHODS: Forty-seven participants with MCI were randomized into two groups: a mindfulness practice group and a control group. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and neurocognitive tests were performed before and after the 3-month intervention. A temporal efficiency analysis approach was used to examine the spatiotemporal networks of the brain. RESULTS: Participants in the mindfulness group had significantly better temporal global efficiency than controls after 3-months of intervention. Localized changes of temporal nodal properties were present in the right cingulate gyrus, insula, and left superior temporal gyrus. Together, these results suggest greater information transmission efficiency at both the global and local spatiotemporal level. In terms of cognitive function, verbal recognition memory improved in the mindfulness group compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: Elders who practiced mindfulness had better brain network efficiency and neurocognitive function relative to controls in this study, suggesting that mindfulness may be of benefit to aging adults with early cognitive degeneration.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedAged, 80 and overAgingAttentionBrainBrain MappingCognitive DysfunctionFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMemoryMiddle AgedMindfulnessTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations40
Citations/Year8.0
Relative Citation Ratio3.39
NIH Percentile87.4%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.55
Normalized Score0.70
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