Effects of mindfulness meditation interventions on depression in older adults: A meta-analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness-based interventions (MMIs) on depression in older adults and explore moderating factors like participant characteristics, methods, and intervention specifics.
Results Summary
MMIs significantly improved depression in older adults (effect size=0.65), with greater benefits observed in Asians, shorter intervention durations (<5 weeks), and guided meditation formats.
Population
Adults aged 65+ with depression.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Varied, with some interventions lasting less than 5 weeks and others longer.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MMIs | decrease | depression | older adults | ES=.65, 95%CI 0.35, 0.94 | showed significantly improved | #1 |
MMIs | decrease | depression | Asians | 1.28 | had a greater improvement | #2 |
MMIs | decrease | depression | Europeans | .59 | showed improvement | #3 |
MMIs | decrease | depression | North Americans | .32 | showed improvement | #4 |
Less than 5 weeks of MMIs | decrease | depression | - | 1.47 | showed greater improvement | #5 |
MMIs | decrease | depression | - | .55 | showed improvement | #6 |
MMIs with guided meditation | decrease | depression | - | .91 | reduced | #7 |
MMIs without guided meditation | decrease | depression | - | .42 | reduced | #8 |
MMIs | decrease | depressive symptoms | older adults | - | improved | #9 |
OBJECTIVE: We examined the effects of MMIs on depression in older adults and explored the moderating effects of participant, methods, and intervention characteristics. METHODS: We systematically searched 15 databases through June 2019 without date restrictions using the following search terms: (mindful* OR meditat*) AND depress* AND (older adult* OR elder OR aging OR senior OR geriatric*). Inclusion criteria were primary studies evaluating MMIs with adults ≥65 years old with depression measured as an outcome, a control group, and written in English. Two researchers independently coded each study and compared for discrepancies and consulted a third researcher in cases of disagreement. We used random-effects model to compute effect sizes (ESs) using Hedges' RESULTS: Nineteen studies included 1,076 participants (71.8 ± 5.2 years old). Overall, MMIs showed significantly improved depression (ES=.65, 95%CI 0.35, 0.94) compared to controls. With regards to moderators, Asians had a greater improvement in depression (1.28) than Europeans (.59) and North Americans (.32). Less than 5 weeks of MMIs showed greater improvement in depression (1.47) than longer periods (.55). MMIs with guided meditation reduced depression (.91) more than MMIs without (.42). Only one quality indicator, CONCLUSION: MMIs improved depressive symptoms in older adults. MMIs might be used as adjunctive or alternative to conventional treatment for depressed older adults.