. 2023 Oct 13;13(10):838.

doi: 10.3390/bs13100838.

Enhancing Subjective Wellbeing in Older Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Trial of a Positive Psychology Intervention

Konstantina Tsiflikioti¹, Despoina Moraitou^{2

3

4

5}, Christos Pezirkianidis⁶, Georgia Papantoniou^{7

8}, Maria Sofologi^{7

8}, Georgios A Kougioumtzis^{9

10

11}, Magdalini Tsolaki^{4

5

12}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
² School of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
³ Laboratory of Psychology, Department of Cognition, Brain and Behavior, School of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁴ Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, Aristotle University, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁵ Day Center "Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (GAADRD)", 54643 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁶ Interdisciplinary Mental Health Centre of the Armed Forces Board of Members, Hellenic Association of Positive Psychology, Panteion University, 17671 Athens, Greece.
⁷ Laboratory of Psychology, Department of Early Childhood Education, School of Education, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
⁸ Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University Research Centre of Ioannina (URCI), 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
⁹ Department of Turkish Studies and Modern Asian Studies, Faculty of Economic and Political Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece.
¹⁰ Department of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, Neapolis University, 8042 Pafos, Cyprus.
¹¹ School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece.
¹² 1st Department of Neurology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.

PMID: 37887488
PMCID: PMC10604606
DOI: 10.3390/bs13100838

Enhancing Subjective Wellbeing in Older Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Trial of a Positive Psychology Intervention

Konstantina Tsiflikioti et al. Behav Sci (Basel). 2023.

. 2023 Oct 13;13(10):838.

doi: 10.3390/bs13100838.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands.
² School of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
³ Laboratory of Psychology, Department of Cognition, Brain and Behavior, School of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁴ Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, Aristotle University, 10th km Thessaloniki-Thermi, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁵ Day Center "Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (GAADRD)", 54643 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁶ Interdisciplinary Mental Health Centre of the Armed Forces Board of Members, Hellenic Association of Positive Psychology, Panteion University, 17671 Athens, Greece.
⁷ Laboratory of Psychology, Department of Early Childhood Education, School of Education, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
⁸ Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University Research Centre of Ioannina (URCI), 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
⁹ Department of Turkish Studies and Modern Asian Studies, Faculty of Economic and Political Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece.
¹⁰ Department of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, Neapolis University, 8042 Pafos, Cyprus.
¹¹ School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece.
¹² 1st Department of Neurology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.

PMID: 37887488
PMCID: PMC10604606
DOI: 10.3390/bs13100838

Abstract

Objectives: This pilot study aims to explore the potential of a positive psychology intervention (PPI) in enhancing the subjective well-being of older individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to dementia.

Design and setting: A randomized trial was conducted, initially recruiting 51 participants aged 65 and above from the Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders in Thessaloniki, Greece. The study employed a control-experimental group setup. To ensure randomization, each participant was assigned a unique number, and a random number generator was used for group allocation.

Participants: A total of 41 eligible participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were included in the study after screening.

Intervention: The intervention consisted of a 3-week positive psychology program (PPI) where the PERMA Profiler questionnaire was administered at three intervals: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one month after completion.

Main outcome measures: The subjective well-being of participants.

Results: The analysis, conducted mainly through mixed-measures ANOVAs, supported the study's hypotheses, revealing that the 3-week PPI led to increased PERMA model scores and overall well-being, which persisted even after one month. Conversely, non-participants experienced declines in most domains except for Positive Emotion and Meaning, which demonstrated improvement and recovery during follow-up.

Conclusions: These findings suggest the potential of PPI in enhancing the subjective well-being of older adults with amnestic MCI, with implications for addressing dementia-related challenges. Further investigation is warranted to pinpoint PPI effects on MCI and tailor interventions for improved subjective well-being.

Keywords: (amnestic) mild cognitive impairment; intervention; older individuals; positive psychology; well-being.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Flow chart of participants recruitment and randomization.

**Figure 2**
Subjective well-being in the experimental and control group. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 explain the 3 assessment time points. Number 1 indicates before the PPI, number 2 indicates after the PPI and number 3 indicates the follow-up assessment.

**Figure 3**
Individual scores in subjective well-being. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 explain the 3 assessment time points. Number 1 indicates before the PPI, number 2 indicates after the PPI and number 3 indicates the follow-up assessment.

**Figure 4**
Subjective well-being follow-up assessment of experimental and control group.

**Figure 5**
Positive Emotion follow-up assessment of experimental and control group.

**Figure 6**
Performance of groups in Engagement in the 3 assessment time points. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 explain the 3 assessment time points. Number 1 indicates before the PPI, number 2 indicates after the PPI and number 3 indicates the follow-up assessment.

**Figure 7**
Individual scores in Engagement. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 explain the 3 assessment time points. Number 1 indicates before the PPI, number 2 indicates after the PPI and number 3 indicates the follow-up assessment.

**Figure 8**
Engagement follow-up assessment of experimental and control group.

**Figure 9**
Performance of groups in Meaning in the 3 assessment time points. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 explain the 3 assessment time points. Number 1 indicates before the PPI, number 2 indicates after the PPI and number 3 indicates the follow-up assessment.

**Figure 10**
Individual scores in Meaning. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 explain the 3 assessment time points. Number 1 indicates before the PPI, number 2 indicates after the PPI and number 3 indicates the follow-up assessment.

**Figure 11**
Performance of groups in Accomplishment in the 3 assessment time points. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 explain the 3 assessment time points. Number 1 indicates before the PPI, number 2 indicates after the PPI and number 3 indicates the follow-up assessment.

**Figure 12**
Individual scores in Accomplishment. Numbers 1, 2, and 3 explain the 3 assessment time points. Number 1 indicates before the PPI, number 2 indicates after the PPI and number 3 indicates the follow-up assessment.

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Enhancing Subjective Wellbeing in Older Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Trial of a Positive Psychology Intervention

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Enhancing Subjective Wellbeing in Older Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Trial of a Positive Psychology Intervention

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Conflict of interest statement

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