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A Systematic Review of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia and Caregivers.

Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology
November 1, 2021
Minjung Shim et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to systematically review the quality and efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia (PwD), and their caregivers.

Results Summary

MBIs showed medium to large effects for psychosocial outcomes in PwD and caregivers, with mixed results for cognitive functioning and dementia biomarkers. However, methodological limitations reduced confidence in these findings.

Population

Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia (PwD), and their caregivers.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
increase
acceptability and credibility
patients with MCI, PwD and caregivers
-
are highly acceptable and credible treatments
#1
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
increase
psychosocial outcomes
patients with dementia (PwD)
medium to large range
post-treatment effects are in the medium to large range
#2
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
increase
cognitive functioning
patients with dementia (PwD)
small to medium range
post-treatment effects are in the small to medium range
#3
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
no change
dementia biomarkers
patients with dementia (PwD)
small to large range
treatment effects were mixed, ranging from small to large
#4
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
increase
caregiver outcomes
caregivers of PwD
-
salutary effects
#5
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
decrease
caregiver stress and burden
caregivers of PwD
medium to large range
post-treatment effects ranging from medium to large
#6
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
increase
quality of life
caregivers of PwD
large
large effects
#7
mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs)
no change
cognitive functioning
caregivers of PwD
small to large range
mixed outcomes with effects in the small to large range
#8
Abstract

The aim of this article was to systematically review the quality and efficacy of the current evidence for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), patients with dementia (PwD), and their caregivers. We identified 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (11 for patients, 9 for caregivers) published in the last 15 years. Evidence suggested that MBIs are highly acceptable and credible treatments for patients with MCI, PwD and caregivers. Specifically, for PwD, the results indicated that the magnitude of post-treatment effects of MBIs are in the medium to large range for psychosocial outcomes, and in the small to medium range for cognitive functioning; however, treatment effects on dementia biomarkers were mixed, ranging from small to large, depending on the outcome measure. Findings also evidenced salutary effects of MBIs for caregivers of PwD, with post-treatment effects ranging from medium to large for caregiver stress and burden and large effects for quality of life, and mixed outcomes for cognitive functioning, with effects in the small to large range. However, confidence in these findings is relatively limited due to methodological limitations, especially in terms of poor consistency in intervention strategies, outcome measures, and other key criteria across studies. To better assess the value of MBIs for these populations and optimize treatment outcomes, we recommend further research with improved study methodology (e.g., multi-method assessment, universal criterion and outcome measures, use of active control groups, larger sample sizes, long-term follow-up) to replicate current findings and enhance our understanding of underlying treatment mechanisms of MBIs.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
CaregiversCognitionCognitive DysfunctionDementiaHumansMindfulness
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations38
Citations/Year9.5
Relative Citation Ratio4.89
NIH Percentile92.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.51
Normalized Score0.64
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