The effects of mindfulness training combined with regular exercise on the cognitive functioning and quality of life of elderly nursing home residents

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of mindfulness training combined with regular exercise on quality of life and the cognitive functioning of elderly nursing home residents.Methods Eighty elderly persons with cognitive impairments in a Tangshan nursing home were divided into a control group (40 cases) and a treatment group (40 cases) using a random number table.The control group only took regular exercise; the treatment group also received mindfulness training twice a week,60 min per time,for a total of 12 successive weeks.Cognitive functioning was evaluated with Loewenstein's occupational therapy cognitive assessment battery (LOTCA) ; quality of life was evaluated with a 36 item questionnaire (SF-36); mindfulness was evaluated using the mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS) and mood with a self-rated anxiety scale (SAS).The two groups were tested before treatment and after 12 weeks of treatment.Results After treatment,the scores on each item of the LOTCA and the total LOTCA,MAAS and SAS scores had improved significantly more in the treatment group than in the control group(P ＜0.05).Conclusion Mindfulness training can supplement the effects of regular exercise in improving the quality of life and cognition of elderly nursing home residents. Key words: Mindfulness training; Exercise; Nursing homes; Elderly; Cognition; Quality of life