Effects of mindfulness in patients with mild cognitive impairment with insomnia: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Geriatric nursing (New York) 2022-09, Vol.47, p.239-246
• Main Authors: Cai, Zhen-Zhen, Lin, Rong, Wang, Xiao-Xia, Yan, Yuan-Jiao, Li, Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Elderly; Mild cognitive impairment; Mindfulness; Nursing home; Sleep quality; Trial
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.08.001

•Early intervention has been the key work of the prevention of dementia.•Mindfulness has a significant effect on MCI patients with insomnia.•Mindfulness causes deep relaxation in the brain, increases self-awareness.•Mindfulness causes changes in the EEG associated with cognitive task.•Mindfulness can be primary and secondary prevention strategy to reduce costs. Current research on the effects of mindfulness therapy on MCI and insomnia has been inconsistent. It is still a hot topic of research and discussion. This study aimed to improve the sleep quality, cognition, and mental state of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with insomnia. A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Seventy-five patients who met the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to the mindfulness (n = 38) or health education (n = 37) treatment group. The primary outcomes were sleep, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, and cognition, measured by The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination. Secondary outcomes included insomnia, measured by the Insomnia Severity Index, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. EEG signals were collected at rest with eyes closed in the mindfulness state. The power spectrum was analyzed from these data. Cognitive function and sleep quality were significantly improved in the mindfulness group (95% confidence interval 0.04 - 0.05, 0.03 - 0.04, -5.58 - -1.55, respectively). Anxiety and perceived stress scores were significantly lower than those in the control group (95% confidence interval 0.002 - 0.004, 0.009 – 0.013, respectively). The power spectrum differences in δ, θ, β, and γ bands were significant between the rest and mindfulness states (P