Affiliations: [a] Mindfulness and Health Research Group, La Laguna University and ISCAN Servicios Integrales, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| [b] Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychobiology and Methodology, La Laguna University, Spain
| [c] Mathematics Department, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University, Spain
| [d] Nursing Department, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University, Spain
| [e] Mindfulness and Health Research Group, La Laguna University, Spain
| [f] Doctor Negrín University Hospital of Gran Canaria, Spain
| [g] Nursing home El Pino, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Domingo J. Quintana-Hernández, PhD, Mindfulness and Health Research Group, La Laguna University and ISCAN Servicios Integrales, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. E-mail: domingoj.quintana@gmail.com.
Abstract: Background:The Canary Islands longitudinal study on non-pharmacological treatments showed the overall effectiveness of mindfulness in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, no specific data on the maintenance of cognitive capacities were presented. Objective:To determine whether the practice of mindfulness modifies the course of cognitive impairment in AD. Methods:Design: Longitudinal, non-inferiority and equivalence, randomized clinical trial, repeated-measures design, with three experimental groups and one control group. Participants: Patients with AD who voluntarily attended the Lidia García Foundation (n = 502). Only those who were treated with donepezil and MMSE ≥18 were included (n = 120). Intervention: Over a two-year period, each group carried out three weekly sessions of stimulation based on mindfulness, cognitive stimulation therapy, and progressive muscle relaxation. Measures: Cognitive assessment CAMDEX-R (MMSE and CAMCOG). Statistical analysis: Repeated-measures ANOVA (p < 0.05) and the effect size Cohen’s d were performed. Results:The mindfulness group showed significant scores compared with the control and muscle relaxation groups (p < 0.05), while mindfulness and cognitive stimulation therapy were equivalent (p≥0.05). Group cognitive stimulation evolved better than the control (p < 0.05) group but not better than the muscle relaxation group (p≥0.05). The effect size compared over two years was large for the mindfulness group (p≥0.80), moderate for the relaxation group (p≥0.50), and low for the cognitive stimulation group (p≥0.20). Conclusion:The practice of mindfulness maintained cognitive function over a period of two years. This longitudinal study suggests that mindfulness can be used as a non-pharmacological treatment to slow cognitive impairment in AD.
