Online mindfulness training for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial using a multi-method assessment approach

Abstract

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically accelerated the need for studies examining the effectiveness of programs to bolster psychological well-being, particularly for at-risk groups, such as older adults (OAs). Mindfulness Training (MT) has been suggested as a well-suited program for this purpose. The present study examined the impact of a 4-week online, trainer-led MT course tailored for OAs during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Fifty-three OAs were randomly assigned to either Group A or Group B. Group A received the online MT course during the 4-week interval between the first (T1) and second (T2) testing sessions, while Group B received the same MT course during the interval between T2 and the third testing session (T3). The testing sessions included measures of mindfulness, emotional well-being, psychological health, and cognitive performance. In addition, a very brief survey was sent every week during the T1–T2 and T2–T3 intervals to assess weekly emotional well-being.

Results

The findings revealed that MT may improve some, albeit not all, aspects of mindfulness and well-being, while no significant results were noted for outcomes measuring psychological health and cognitive performance.

Conclusions

These findings are discussed in the context of the evolving COVID-19 situation.

Keywords:

• Aging
• well-being
• cognition
• mindfulness
• experience sampling

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Costanza Alessio for logistical support and coordination with participants during training delivery. We thank two anonymous reviewers for their feedback.

Author contributions

ED designed and executed the study, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript; JB collected the data, analyzed the data, and assisted with the final editing of the manuscript; APZ assisted with the data analyses and the final editing of the manuscript; JR prepared the training materials, delivered the training, and assisted with the final editing of the manuscript; SLR prepared the training materials, provided support during training delivery, and assisted with the final editing of the manuscript; APJ designed the study, reviewed data analyses, and edited the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no potential conflict of interest.

Notes

1 While the concept of mindfulness as a stable trait is questionable (Lutz et al., 2015), the idea that individuals can vary on mindfulness-related features is more in line with the conceptualization of mindfulness as a configuration of complex and dynamic dimensions.

2 The only exceptions were seven participants who specified during screening that they may not be available for some training sessions if assigned to one of the groups. Therefore, we made the decision to assign them to a group that aligns with their availability to maximize adherence to the training.

3 An exploratory analysis on the impact of weekly changes in negative affect on FFMQ non-reactivity change over time was examined and the results were not significant (p > .05).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a Rapid Response Grant from the University of Miami to ED, SLR, and APJ.