Evaluating the efficacy of a modified mindfulness program in enhancing psychosocial wellbeing and cognitive functions of community dwelling older adults

Abstract

Objective To assess the effects of a modified Mindfulness for Senior Wellbeing (MSW) program on older adults’ psychosocial wellbeing (flourishing, sleep quality, self-transcendence, purpose and meaning) and cognitive functions (working memory, episodic memory, speed of processing, cognitive flexibility). Methods Twenty-eight community dwelling older adults were recruited to participate in the 5-week mindfulness training out of which nineteen (mean age = 69.7 years) who met the training requirements were included in the data analysis. Due to practical limitations, a single-group pre–post study design was adopted. Participants completed the outcome measures before and after the training program. Results Participants experienced significant improvements in their levels of mindfulness, sleep quality, and some aspects of cognitive functions (working memory, episodic memory, cognitive flexibility), and reduced worrying thoughts related to a financial subscale of flourishing. Other outcome measures showed slight improvements albeit not statistically significant. Conclusion Taken together, these preliminary findings shed light on the feasibility and potential of the locally tailored mindfulness program to bring about positive benefits to the older adults.