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Mindfulness intervention for mild cognitive impairment led to attention-related improvements and neuroplastic changes: Results from a 9-month randomized control trial.

Journal of psychiatric research
March 1, 2021
Junhong Yu et al. (12 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on cognitive outcomes and cortical thickness in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Results Summary

The study found that mindfulness training led to significant cognitive improvements (working memory span and divided attention) and neuroplastic changes (increased cortical thickness in the right frontal pole and decreased thickness in the left anterior cingulate). Some effects required sustained effort over nine months.

Population

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Effective Dosage

Weekly sessions for three months, followed by monthly sessions for six months.

Duration

Nine months (three months intensive, six months maintenance).

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
mindfulness-based interventions
increase
cognitive abilities
older adults
-
can enhance
#1
mindfulness-based interventions
decrease
cognitive decline
older adults
-
effectively delaying
#2
mindfulness awareness program (MAP)
increase
working memory span
participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
Nine-month MAP-associated gains
#3
mindfulness awareness program (MAP)
increase
divided attention
participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
Nine-month MAP-associated gains
#4
mindfulness awareness program (MAP)
increase
cortical thickness (CT) in the right frontal pole
participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
increased
#5
mindfulness awareness program (MAP)
decrease
cortical thickness (CT) in the left anterior cingulate
participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
decreased
#6
mindfulness awareness program (MAP)
increase
cortical thickness (CT) in the left inferior temporal gyrus
participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
Three-month MAP-associated CT increase
#7
mindfulness awareness program (MAP)
increase
cognitive outcomes
participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
led to significant cognitive gains
#8
mindfulness awareness program (MAP)
neutral
cortical thickness (CT)
participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
-
led to various CT changes
#9
mindfulness awareness program (MAP)
decrease
certain cognitive impairments
those with MCI
-
can remediate
#10
mindfulness awareness program (MAP)
increase
neuroplastic effects
those with MCI
-
engender
#11
Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions can enhance cognitive abilities among older adults, thereby effectively delaying cognitive decline. These cognitive enhancements are theorized to accompany neuroplastic changes in the brain. However, this mindfulness-associated neuroplasticity has yet to be documented adequately. A randomized controlled trial was carried out among participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on various cognitive outcomes and cortical thickness (CT) in the context of age-related cognitive impairment. Participants were assigned to a mindfulness awareness program (MAP)(n = 27) and an active control condition - health education program (n = 27). In both, they attended weekly sessions for three months and subsequently, monthly sessions for six months. Cognitive assessments and structural scans were carried out across three time-points. Whole brain analyses on CT were carried out and were supplemented with region of interest-based analyses. ROI values and cognitive outcomes were analyzed with mixed MANOVAs and followed up with univariate ANOVAs. Nine-month MAP-associated gains in working memory span and divided attention, along with an increased CT in the right frontal pole and decreased CT in the left anterior cingulate were observed. Three-month MAP-associated CT increase was observed in the left inferior temporal gyrus but did not sustain thereafter. MAP led to significant cognitive gains and various CT changes. Most of these neurobehavioral changes, may require sustained effort across nine months, albeit at a reduced intensity. MAP can remediate certain cognitive impairments and engender neuroplastic effects even among those with MCI.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedAttentionCognitive DysfunctionHumansMindfulnessNeuronal PlasticityTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations27
Citations/Year6.8
Relative Citation Ratio3.37
NIH Percentile87.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.86
Normalized Score0.72
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