The MEDITAGING study: protocol of a two-armed randomized controlled study to compare the effects of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program against a health promotion program in older migrants in Luxembourg.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) compared to a health promotion program in older Portuguese-speaking migrants, focusing on outcomes like executive functioning, stress, and well-being.
Results Summary
The study protocol outlines a rigorous comparison of MBSR against an active control, but results are not yet reported as it is a protocol paper. The design suggests potential efficacy based on prior MBSR studies.
Population
Older Portuguese-speaking migrants aged ≥55.
Effective Dosage
8-week program with weekly meetings, one 4-hour class, and at-home tasks.
Duration
8 weeks, with follow-up assessments up to 3 months post-intervention.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness based-stress reduction (MBSR) | increase | cognition | - | - | positive impact | #1 |
mindfulness based-stress reduction (MBSR) | increase | sleep | - | - | positive impact | #2 |
MBSR | neutral | - | migrants aged ≥55 | - | effects | #3 |
health promotion program | neutral | dementia prevention | - | - | - | #4 |
health promotion program | neutral | healthy habits | - | - | - | #5 |
health promotion program | neutral | cognitive stimulation | - | - | - | #6 |
health promotion program | neutral | sleeping | - | - | - | #7 |
health promotion program | neutral | nutrition | - | - | - | #8 |
health promotion program | neutral | watercolor painting | - | - | - | #9 |
health promotion program | neutral | physical activity | - | - | - | #10 |
mindfulness-based intervention | neutral | - | older adult migrants | - | effects | #11 |
BACKGROUND: Migration is a phenomenon worldwide, with older migrants, particularly those with fewer socioeconomic resources, having an increased risk of developing adverse cognitive and health outcomes and social isolation. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to validate interventions that promote healthy aging in this population. Previous studies have shown a positive impact of mindfulness based-stress reduction (MBSR) on outcomes such as cognition and sleep. However, only a few studies verified its potential in older adults, especially with vulnerable populations such as migrants. This article presents the protocol of the MEDITAGING study, which is the first to investigate the MBSR effects in migrants aged ≥55 in comparison to a health promotion program. METHODS: MEDITAGING is a two-arm randomized, double-blinded, controlled study, which will include older Portuguese-speaking migrants (n = 90). Participants are randomized to the MBSR or a health promotion program. Both interventions are conducted in groups over a total of 8 weeks, incorporating weekly meetings, an additional 4-hour class, and extra at-home tasks. The health promotion program has the same structure as the MBSR but comprises different activities related to dementia prevention, healthy habits, cognitive stimulation, sleeping, nutrition, watercolor painting, and physical activity. The assessment of executive functioning, physiological stress measures, self-reported questionnaires, and qualitative interviews are conducted at baseline, after 8 weeks (post-intervention), and at a follow-up session (from one to 3 months thereafter). Analyzes will be conducted using a modified intention-to-treat approach (all participants with at least 3 days of participation in the group-sessions and one post-intervention observation). DISCUSSION: This study will test effects of a mindfulness-based intervention against an active control condition in older adult migrants, which few studies have addressed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05615337 (date of registration: 27 September 2022; date of record verification: 14 November 2022).