title: An adapted mindfulness-based stress reduction program for elders in a continuing care retirement community: quantitative and qualitative results from a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and effectiveness of an adapted 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for elders in a continuing care community. This mixed-methods study used both quantitative and qualitative measures. A randomized waitlist control design was used for the quantitative aspect of the study. Thirty-nine elderly were randomized to MBSR (n = 20) or a waitlist control group (n = 19), mean age was 82 years. Both groups completed pre-post measures of health-related quality of life, acceptance and psychological flexibility, facets of mindfulness, self-compassion, and psychological distress. A subset of MBSR participants completed qualitative interviews. MBSR participants showed significantly greater improvement in acceptance and psychological flexibility and in role limitations due to physical health. In the qualitative interviews, MBSR participants reported increased awareness, less judgment, and greater self-compassion. Study results demonstrate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of an adapted MBSR program in promoting mind-body health for elders.
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA aleeze.moss@jefferson.edu.
authors.forename: Aleezé S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Diane K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Reibel
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Greeson
authors.affiliation: Bryn Mawr College, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Anjali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thapar
authors.affiliation: Bryn Mawr College, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bubb
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salmon
authors.affiliation: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Newberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: continuing care communities; elders; mindfulness