Mindfulness to Enhance Cognitive Health in Latinx Older Adults
Washington University School of Medicine
Summary
The primary objective of the proposed research is to investigate the promise and underlying mechanisms of mindfulness training as a preventative lifestyle intervention to enhance cognitive health in Latinx older adults, thereby mitigating risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in a population that may be particularly vulnerable.
Description
This proposal rigorously examines the feasibility and mechanisms of action of a novel, culturally-sensitive mindfulness training program developed by the PIs, utilizing EEG methods and theoretically-optimized cognitive control tasks to assess neurocognitive effects. Additionally, blood-based assessment of AD biomarkers will be utilized to test whether biomarker status will moderate the effect of training, such that the neurocognitive benefits will be larger Latinx older adults with greater evidence of AD-related pathology. Furthermore, the study will also seek to elucidate the subjective effec…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 65+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Hispanic/Latinx * Age 65 and older * Male, female, or non-binary * Community living * Medically stable and willing to undergo the study procedures * No extensive mindfulness training experience Exclusion Criteria: * Clinically unstable psychiatric disorder that requires immediate treatment (e.g., ECT) * Medical conditions suggesting significantly shortened lifespan (e.g., metastatic cancer) or prohibiting safe participation in the interventions/assessments (e.g., Parkinson's disease, musculoskeletal conditions) * Sensory impairment (hearing, vision) preventing particip…
Interventions
- Behavioralmindfulness
MBSR: Mindfulness Program A novel and culturally-adapted version of the well-validated mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course will be used for the intervention. The adapted program curriculum embeds core MBSR principles and practices within a culturally responsive didactic framework developed directly from community focus-group feedback. The course will be delivered via a group meeting across 8 weeks, with weekly classes held at a local community center. All classes will be held in hybrid format, with most participants attending in person, but with a live-stream option offered via Zoom.
Location
- Washington UniversitySt Louis, Missouri