[Effects of a neuropsychology program based on mindfulness on Alzheimer's disease: randomized double-blind clinical study.]

Author: Quintana Hernández DJ1, Miró Barrachina MT2, Ibáñez Fernández I2, Del Pino AS3, García Rodríguez JR4, Hernández JR4.
Affiliation: 1Asociación Canaria para el desarrollo de la salud a través de la atención, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España; CSS El Pino, Grupo Sanitario ICOT, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España. Electronic address: domingoj.quintana@gmail.com. 2Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Gran Canaria, España. 3Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España. 4CSS El Pino, Grupo Sanitario ICOT, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.
Conference/Journal: Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol.
Date published: 2014 May 28
Other: Pages: S0211-139X(14)00056-0. , Special Notes: [Article in Spanish] doi: 10.1016/j.regg.2014.03.002. , Word Count: 243



INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this research was to assess effects of a mindfulness based neuropsychological intervention on the clinical course of Alzheimer's disease.
MATERIAL AND METHOD:
A two year randomized and double blind clinical trial was conducted on 127 probable Alzheimer's disease patients, according to NINCDS-ADRDA scale. Patients were grouped into three experimental groups (cognitive stimulation, progressive muscular relaxation, and mindfulness) plus a control group. All participants were receiving donepezil. Cognitive skills were assessed with CAMCOG and MMSE, functional area with RDRS-2, and NPI was used for psychopathology screening. Three treatment sessions per week were carried out for two years, and follow up measurements were taken every six months.
RESULTS:
The global cognitive function, functionality and behavioral disorders measurements indicated that patients from the experimental group based on mindfulness were stable during the two years, while patients from the control group, as well as the other experimental groups, showed a mild but significant worsening of their mental capacities.
CONCLUSION:
The mindfulness based neuropsychological program showed better cognitive and functional stability, as well as significant improvement in the psychopathological condition of mild to moderate Alzheimer' patients. These results support the idea that a mindfulness based intervention can produce a clinically relevant improvement in the treatment of dementia. More research is needed to confirm these data.
Copyright © 2013 SEGG. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Alzheimer's disease; Atención plena o mindfulness; Cognición; Cognition; Enfermedad de Alzheimer; Funcionalidad; Functionality; Mindfulness; Psicopatología; Psychopathology

PMID: 24880524