Mindfulness gave older adults a small boost in thinking and attention

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   About 1,700 people over 50 took part in 30 trials, and about 6 in 10 were women. Most were healthy; others had mild memory or thinking problems, Alzheimer's, or said their thinking was getting worse.

2. 02

   What they did

   Most programmes taught mindfulness, such as focusing attention and noticing the body, for 2 to 96 weeks. Thirteen trials compared them with a waiting list or usual care. The rest used another activity, such as health education or relaxation.

3. 03

   What happened

   Overall thinking improved a little more than other groups, after eight very large results from one study were left out. Attention and long-term memory also improved. Speed, language, working memory, word fluency and general thinking did not change.

What the review found

1. HelpedOther outcomes

   Across 30 studies, mindfulness helped thinking a little more than other groups.

   • Action: Practise mindfulnesstested

   Pooled analysis of 30 studies with 1,682 people · vs people who waited, got usual care or did another activity · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

2. HelpedFocus

   Across 26 studies, mindfulness helped attention more than other groups did.

   • Action: Practise mindfulnesstested

   Pooled analysis of 26 studies · vs people who waited, got usual care or did another activity · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

3. HelpedOther outcomes

   Across 14 studies, mindfulness helped long-term memory more than other groups did.

   • Action: Practise mindfulnesstested

   Pooled analysis of 14 studies · vs people who waited, got usual care or did another activity · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

Source