title: [Effects of a neuropsychology program based on mindfulness on Alzheimer's disease: randomized double-blind clinical study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this research was to assess effects of a mindfulness based neuropsychological intervention on the clinical course of Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two year randomized and double blind clinical trial was conducted on 127 probable Alzheimer's disease patients, according to NINCDS-ADRDA scale. Patients were grouped into three experimental groups (cognitive stimulation, progressive muscular relaxation, and mindfulness) plus a control group. All participants were receiving donepezil. Cognitive skills were assessed with CAMCOG and MMSE, functional area with RDRS-2, and NPI was used for psychopathology screening. Three treatment sessions per week were carried out for two years, and follow up measurements were taken every six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The global cognitive function, functionality and behavioral disorders measurements indicated that patients from the experimental group based on mindfulness were stable during the two years, while patients from the control group, as well as the other experimental groups, showed a mild but significant worsening of their mental capacities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mindfulness based neuropsychological program showed better cognitive and functional stability, as well as significant improvement in the psychopathological condition of mild to moderate Alzheimer' patients. These results support the idea that a mindfulness based intervention can produce a clinically relevant improvement in the treatment of dementia. More research is needed to confirm these data.
authors.affiliation: Asociación Canaria para el desarrollo de la salud a través de la atención, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España; CSS El Pino, Grupo Sanitario ICOT, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España. Electronic address: domingoj.quintana@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Domingo Jesús
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Quintana Hernández
authors.affiliation: Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Gran Canaria, España.
authors.forename: María Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Miró Barrachina
authors.affiliation: Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Gran Canaria, España.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ibáñez Fernández
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.
authors.forename: Angelo Santana
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: del Pino
authors.affiliation: CSS El Pino, Grupo Sanitario ICOT, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.
authors.forename: Javie r
authors.initials: Jr
authors.lastname: García Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: CSS El Pino, Grupo Sanitario ICOT, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.
authors.forename: Jaime Rojas
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hernández
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness; D009484:Neuropsychology; D011613:Psychotherapy
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Atención plena o mindfulness; Cognición; Cognition; Enfermedad de Alzheimer; Funcionalidad; Functionality; Mindfulness; Psicopatología; Psychopathology