Mindfulness intervention for mild cognitive impairment led to attention-related improvements and neuroplastic changes: Results from a 9-month randomized control trial.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.