Can Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment Build Cognitive Reserve and Learn Mindfulness Meditation? Qualitative Theme Analyses from a Small Pilot Study
Authors
Wells, Rebecca ErwinKerr, Catherine
Dossett, Michelle L.
Danhauer, Suzanne C.
Sohl, Stephanie J.
Sachs, Bonnie C.
Feeley, Jacquelyn Walsh
Wolkin, Jennifer
Wall, Robert
Kaptchuk, Ted
Press, Daniel Z.
Phillips, Russell S.
Yeh, Gloria Y.
UMass Chan Affiliations
Graduate School of NursingDocument Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2019-08-03Keywords
Alzheimer’s diseasemeditation
mild cognitive impairment
mindfulness
randomized clinical trial
yoga
Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Movement and Mind-Body Therapies
Nervous System Diseases
Psychiatry
Psychiatry and Psychology
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: High levels of chronic stress negatively impact the hippocampus and are associated with increased incidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease. While mindfulness meditation may mitigate the effects of chronic stress, it is uncertain if adults with MCI have the capacity to learn mindfulness meditation. METHODS: 14 adults with MCI were randomized 2:1 to Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or a wait-list control group. We conducted qualitative interviews with those who completed MBSR. Transcribed interviews were: a) coded using an emergent themes inductive approach informed by grounded theory; b) rated 0-10, with higher scores reflecting greater perceived benefit from, and understanding of, mindfulness meditation. Ratings were correlated with daily home practice times and baseline level of cognitive function. RESULTS: Seven themes emerged from the interviews: positive perceptions of class; development of mindfulness skills, including meta-cognition; importance of the group experience; enhanced well-being; shift in MCI perspective; decreased stress reactivity and increased relaxation; improvement in interpersonal skills. Ratings of perceived benefit and understanding ranged from 2-10 (mean = 7) and of 0-9.5 (mean = 6), respectively. Many participants experienced substantial benefit/understanding, some had moderate, and a few had minimal benefit/understanding. Understanding the key concepts of mindfulness was highly positively correlated with > /=20 minutes/day of home practice (r = 0.90) but not with baseline cognitive function (r = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Most adults with MCI were able to learn mindfulness meditation and had improved MCI acceptance, self-efficacy, and social engagement. Cognitive reserve may be enhanced through a mindfulness meditation program even in patients with MCI.Source
Wells RE, Kerr C, Dossett ML, Danhauer SC, Sohl SJ, Sachs BC, Feeley JW, Wolkin J, Wall R, Kaptchuk T, Press DZ, Phillips RS, Yeh GY. Can Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment Build Cognitive Reserve and Learn Mindfulness Meditation? Qualitative Theme Analyses from a Small Pilot Study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2019;70(3):825-842. doi: 10.3233/JAD-190191. PMID: 31282418; PMCID: PMC6753379. Link to article on publisher's site
DOI
10.3233/JAD-190191Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/34452PubMed ID
31282418Related Resources
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3233/JAD-190191