Efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in cognitive function in the elderly people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives

The main objective was to determine the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in improving the cognitive function of older adults (healthy adults or adults with mild cognitive impairment).

Methods

A search was conducted in 4 databases. The effect sizes were extracted to perform a meta-analysis of the cognitive functions, as well as subgroup meta-analyses according to each domain: attention, memory and executive function.

Results

The meta-analysis of cognitive functions showed an average effect size of g = .07, 95% CI [−.013; .160], p = .09, with the following values for each domain: g = .02, 95% CI [−.167; .204] for attention; g = .06, 95% CI [−.148; .262] for memory; and g = .14, 95% CI [−.042; .329] for executive function.

Conclusion

The MBI had a null global effect. The attention and memory results showed a null effect size and a small effect size was found for executive function. The methodological quality of the studies, however, was poor, so the results need to be interpreted with caution.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.