This project aims to investigate the MBSR feasibility and its effects in old Portuguese-speaking adults living in Luxemburg. This study will be a two-arm randomized-double blinded-controlled study, including 90 healthy older adults. The MBSR will be conducted in groups over a total of eight weeks, incorporating weekly meetings, a retreat of 4 hours, and extra activities to be practiced at home. The active control condition will be a program with different components such as painting, nutrition information, physical activity, cognitive enhancement, risk factors for dementia, and health promotion. Neuropsychological assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately after and one-month post-intervention. The researchers will also do pre-post salivary cortisol and resting heart rate variability analyses, as surrogate measures to assess stress level.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
89
The MBSR is an eight-week group-based psychoeducational program. It is performed in weekly group sessions with the duration of 2.5 hours and a half-day retreat of 4 hours. The program involves focused attention, consisting of body scan, yoga, and meditation. This program trains participants to be attentive to their thoughts, emotions, and sensations. There are also discussions on relevant topics related to the physiology of stress and strategies of coping. Materials for home practice are provided.
The HPP has the same structure of MBSR, including different components such as music, nutrition, cognitive enhancement, risk factors for dementia, and physical activity. During the half-day retreat participants are involved in watercolor painting activities. Materials for home practice are also provided.
University of Luxembourg
Luxembourg, Other, Luxembourg
Changes in executive functioning comparing the two groups over time
Assessed by the Trail Making Test
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention
Changes in executive functioning comparing the two groups over time
Assessed by the Stroop Test
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention
Changes in executive functioning comparing the two groups over time
Assessed by the Letter-number sequencing from WAIS-III
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention
Changes in cortisol levels comparing the two groups over time
assessed by collecting saliva at baseline and post-intervention
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline
Qualitative interview comparing the two groups over time
Interview asking about the program challenges and benefits
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention
Changes in the dispositional mindfulness comparing the two groups over time
The Mindfulness Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS)
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention. Minimum value: 15. Maximum value: 90. Higher scores reflect greater mindfulness.
Change in stress levels comparing the two groups over time
Assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention. Minimum value: 0. Maximum value: 40. Higher scores reflect greater perceived stress.
Change in the heart rate assessment comparing the two groups over time
Heart rate variability
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention
Change in sleep quality comparing the two groups over time
Pittsburgh sleep quality index
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention
Changes in general cognition comparing the two groups over time
Mini-Mental State Questionnaire
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention
Changes in humor between the two groups over time
Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI)
Time frame: T1- baseline before the intervention; T2 - 8 weeks after baseline; T3 - 1 month after the intervention
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