Effects of Mindfulness-Based Elder Care (MBEC) on symptoms of depression and anxiety and spiritual well-being of institutionalized seniors with disabilities: a randomized controlled trial

Yvonne Hsiung; Yi-Heng Chen; Li-Chan Lin; Yu-Han Wang

doi:10.1186/s12877-023-04220-6

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Elder Care (MBEC) on symptoms of depression and anxiety and spiritual well-being of institutionalized seniors with disabilities: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Geriatr. 2023 Aug 18;23(1):497. doi: 10.1186/s12877-023-04220-6.

Authors

Yvonne Hsiung¹, Yi-Heng Chen², Li-Chan Lin³, Yu-Han Wang⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nursing, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
² Department of Nursing and Institute of Geriatric Welfare Technology and Science, Mackay Medical College, 46, Sec. 3, Zhongzheng Rd., Sanzhi Dist., New Taipei City, Taiwan. heng0305@gmail.com.
³ Department of Nursing, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁴ Senior Welfare Group of Social and Family Affairs Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei City, Taiwan.

Abstract

Background: Despite the need to incorporate seniors from various settings into mindfulness-based empirical research, issues of geriatric frailties and non-compliance remain. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness-based elder care (MBEC) program on mental health and spiritual well-being among seniors with disabilities in long-term care residential settings.

Methods: This single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) randomly assigned seventy-seven participants into an MBEC group or control group of an eight-week MBEC program. Participants were assessed every four weeks at baseline (T₀), mid-intervention (T₁), post-intervention (T₂) and follow-up (T₃) using the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-SF), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), respectively.

Results: Linear mixed model (LMM) showed that MBEC participants' mental health improved significantly after completing the intervention; compared with controls, the MBEC group exhibited significantly lower anxiety (state-anxiety at T₂; trait-anxiety at T₂ and T₃) and fewer depressive symptoms. Spiritual well-being was also significantly enhanced compared to that in the control group.

Conclusions: MBEC has positive effects on both mental health and spiritual well-being outcomes among seniors with disabilities. In long-term care facilities, seniors with abilities have the potential to adhere to and engage in activities of a mindfulness-based intervention. This low risk, easily accessible, and effective 8-week program is recommended to be integrated into regular long-term care institutional routines.

Trial registration: This study was registered with Clinical Trial Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov - U.S. National Library of Medicine #NCT05123261. Retrospectively registered on 07/04/2021.). The CONSORT 2010 guidelines were used in this study for properly reporting how the randomized trial was conducted.

Keywords: Disabilities; Mental health; Mindfulness mediation, Seniors; Residential care facility; Spiritual well-being.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety* / therapy
Depression* / therapy
Disabled Persons*
Humans
Mental Health
Mindfulness* / methods
Religion and Medicine
Residential Facilities
United States

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05123261