Impact of mindfulness-based and health self-management interventions on mindfulness, self-compassion, and physical activity in older adults with subjective cognitive decline: A secondary analysis of the SCD-Well randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) have a higher risk of dementia. Reducing this risk through behavioral interventions, which can increase emotional well-being (mindfulness and compassion) and physical activity, is crucial in SCD.

Methods: SCD-Well is a multicenter, observer-blind, randomized, controlled, superiority trial. Three hundred forty-seven participants (mean [standard deviation] age: 72.7 [6.9] years; 64.6% women) were recruited from memory clinics in four European sites to assess the impact of an 8-week caring mindfulness-based approach for seniors (CMBAS) and a health self-management program (HSMP) on mindfulness, self-compassion, and physical activity.

Results: CMBAS showed a significant within-group increase in self-compassion from baseline to post-intervention and both a within- and between-group increase to follow-up visit (24 weeks). HSMP showed a significant within- and between-group increase in physical activity from baseline to post-intervention and to follow-up visit.

Discussion: Non-pharmacological interventions can differentially promote modifiable factors linked to healthy aging in older adults with SCD.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; aging; dementia; mindfulness; non‐pharmacological interventions; physical activity; self‐compassion.

FIGURE 1

Consort flow diagram of enrolment and randomization to CMBAS and HSMP interventions. CMBAS, caring mindfulness‐based approach for seniors; HSMP, health self‐management program.

FIGURE 2

This data‐based plot shows the evolution of average self‐compassion scores from baseline (V1) to post‐intervention (V2) and follow‐up (V3) for each intervention condition. The y axis represents the mean score on the SCS‐SF questionnaire from 20 to 60 (observed range in SCD‐Well: 37 to 41). V1, baseline visit; V2, post‐intervention visit after 8 weeks; V3, follow‐up visit 24 weeks post‐intervention. Asterisk corresponds to between‐group significance. ^* P < 0.05. CMBAS, caring mindfulness‐based approach for seniors; HSMP, health self‐management program; SCS‐SF, Self‐Compassion Scale–Short Form.

FIGURE 3

This data‐based plot shows the evolution of average physical activity scores from baseline (V1) to post‐intervention (V2) and follow‐up (V3) for each intervention condition. The y axis represents the mean score on the PASE questionnaire from 20 to 200 to allow for a better visualization (maximum range: from 0 to 793, observed range in SCD‐Well: 117 to 141. V1, baseline visit; V2, post‐intervention visit after 8 weeks; V3, follow‐up visit 24 weeks post‐intervention. Asterisks correspond to between‐group significance. ^* P < 0.05. CMBAS, caring mindfulness‐based approach for seniors; HSMP, health self‐management program; PASE, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly.