A randomized controlled trial of two simple mind-body programs, Kirtan Kriya meditation and music listening, for adults with subjective cognitive decline: Feasibility and acceptability. Author: Innes KE1, Selfe TK2, Khalsa DS3, Kandati S4 Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, United States; Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, United States. Electronic address: KInnes@hsc.wvu.edu. <sup>2</sup>Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, United States; Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, United States. <sup>3</sup>Department of Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM and the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation, Tucson, AZ, United States. <sup>4</sup>Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, United States. Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Med. Date published: 2016 Jun Other: Volume ID: 26 , Pages: 98-107 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2016.03.002. Epub 2016 Mar 5. , Word Count: 263 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), we assessed the feasibility and acceptability of two simple home-based relaxation programs in adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline, a strong predictor of Alzheimer's disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty participants were randomized to a beginner Kirtan Kriya meditation (KK) program or a music listening (ML) program. Participants were asked to practice 12min daily for the first 12 weeks, then as often as they liked for the following 3 months. Participants underwent assessments at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months to evaluate changes in key outcomes. Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated by measuring recruitment and retention rates, assessment visit attendance, practice adherence, and treatment expectancy; exit questionnaires completed at 12 weeks and 6 months provided additional data regarding participant experience with the study, perceived barriers to and facilitators of practice, reasons for drop-out, and views regarding the assigned intervention. RESULTS: Fifty-three participants (88%) completed the 6 month study. Adherence in both groups was excellent, with participants completing 93% (91% KK, 94% ML) of sessions on average in the first 12 weeks, and 71% (68% KK, 74% ML) during the 3 month, practice-optional, follow-up period. At week 12, over 80% of participants indicated they were likely to continue practicing following study completion. Responses to both structured and open-ended exit questionnaire items also suggested high satisfaction with both programs. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this RCT of a beginner meditation practice and a simple ML program suggest that both programs were well accepted and the practices are feasible in adults with early memory loss. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. KEYWORDS: Alzheimer’s disease; Meditation; Memory; Music; Subjective cognitive decline PMID: 27261989 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]