Mindfulness training in older patients with cognitive complaints [Dutch: Mindfulnesstraining voor oudere patiënten met geheugenklachten]

Rationale: Cognitive complaints of older individuals are often related to worries and concerns related to the ageing process and the associated change in cognitive functioning. Mindfulness-based interventions have been applied successfully to different clinical and non-clinical populations to relieve the burden of stress and ruminative thinking and to improve coping strategies in the context of physical and mental disease.

Objective: Is Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) feasible and effective in older persons with mild cognitive complaints?

Study design: Observational pilot study

Study population: N=10-12 patients of the Maastricht Memory Clinic in the age between 50 and 75 years; no diagnosis of cognitive disorder; no significant psychiatric comorbidity

Intervention (if applicable): Standard 8-week program of MBSR, comprising of 8 weekly group meetings of 2,5h and one silent retreat of 6h.
Main study parameters/endpoints: In this feasibility study, participants are interviewed after 8 weeks about their experiences during the training and how the training may be adjusted to fit the requirements for this target population even more in the future. Furthermore, the group effects of the training are evaluated by means of short questionnaires measuring life quality, mental health (perceived stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms), levels of mindfulness and self-compassion, and perceived burden of cognitive complaints, administered at baseline, 9 and 13 weeks. Feasibility of online cognitive assessment is tested at baseline and 9 weeks.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: MBSR training is nowadays widely available and can be safely followed without prior medical screening. Expectation of personal benefit from the training is realistic when the program is followed conscientiously, but cannot be guaranteed beforehand. Apart from the personal effort invested in participation and homework assignments, no adverse effects are to be expected.

Delivery of a generic MBSR training to patients who visit a memory clinic with cognitive complaints, and who show no clinical signs of a cognitive disorder, is feasible.

Week 0: interview, screening and assessment

Week 1-8: training

Week 9:assessment and interview

Week 13: 4-week follow-up assessment

Custom 8-week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)