Impact of mindfulness‐based and health self‐management interventions on mindfulness, self‐compassion, and physical activity in older adults with subjective cognitive decline: A secondary analysis of the SCD‐Well randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract INTRODUCTION Older adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) have a higher risk of dementia. Reducing this risk through behavioral interventions, which can increase emotional well‐being (mindfulness and compassion) and physical activity, is crucial in SCD. METHODS SCD‐Well is a multicenter, observer‐blind, randomized, controlled, superiority trial. Three hundred forty‐seven participants (mean [standard deviation] age: 72.7 [6.9] years; 64.6% women) were recruited from memory clinics in four European sites to assess the impact of an 8‐week caring mindfulness‐based approach for seniors (CMBAS) and a health self‐management program (HSMP) on mindfulness, self‐compassion, and physical activity. RESULTS CMBAS showed a significant within‐group increase in self‐compassion from baseline to post‐intervention and both a within‐ and between‐group increase to follow‐up visit (24 weeks). HSMP showed a significant within‐ and between‐group increase in physical activity from baseline to post‐intervention and to follow‐up visit. DISCUSSION Non‐pharmacological interventions can differentially promote modifiable factors linked to healthy aging in older adults with SCD.

Keywords

• aging
• Alzheimer's disease
• dementia
• mindfulness
• non‐pharmacological interventions
• physical activity