Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2018
Publisher
Slack Incorporated
Source Publication
Research in Gerontological Nursing
Source ISSN
1940-4921
Original Item ID
DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20180223-01
Abstract
Mindfulness interventions have been beneficial for healthy adults and individuals experiencing a stressful medical or mental health diagnosis. The purposes of the current study were to: (a) determine feasibility of mindfulness for older adults in long-term residential settings, and (b) examine differences in outcomes between a mindfulness and cognitive activity. The current study is the first mindfulness study to include individuals in moderate and severe stages of dementia, and included 36 individuals with a range of cognitive abilities. A crossover design was used, and the intervention was feasible for continued practice by individuals with cognitive impairment. Statistically significant short-term changes in agitation, discomfort, anger, and anxiety were found. Nighttime sleep did not improve, but participants slept less during the day. Long-term changes in outcomes were not found. Mindfulness may be useful in decreasing emotional reactivity and improving well-being of older adults in long-term care.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Kovach, Christine R.; Waltons, Crystal-Rae; Sattell, Lisa; Rosenau, Kimberly; and Gopalakrishnan, Sandeep, "Feasibility and Pilot Testing of a Mindfulness Intervention for Frail Older Adults and Individuals With Dementia" (2018). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 1268.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/1268
Comments
Accepted version. Research in Gerontological Nursing, Vol. 11, No. 3 (2018): 137-150. DOI. © 2018 The Authors, published by SLACK Incorporated. Used with permission.