Author: Innes KE1,2, Selfe TK1,2, Khalsa DS3, Kandati S1.
Affiliation: 1Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, USA.
2Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
3Department of Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Conference/Journal: J Alzheimers Dis.
Date published: 2017 Jan 18
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.3233/JAD-160867. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 260
BACKGROUND:
While effective therapies for preventing or slowing cognitive decline in at-risk populations remain elusive, evidence suggests mind-body interventions may hold promise.
OBJECTIVES:
In this study, we assessed the effects of Kirtan Kriya meditation (KK) and music listening (ML) on cognitive outcomes in adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a strong predictor of Alzheimer's disease.
METHODS:
Sixty participants with SCD were randomized to a KK or ML program and asked to practice 12 minutes/day for 3 months, then at their discretion for the ensuing 3 months. At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months we measured memory and cognitive functioning [Memory Functioning Questionnaire (MFQ), Trail-making Test (TMT-A/B), and Digit-Symbol Substitution Test (DSST)].
RESULTS:
The 6-month study was completed by 53 participants (88%). Participants performed an average of 93% (91% KK, 94% ML) of sessions in the first 3 months, and 71% (68% KK, 74% ML) during the 3-month, practice-optional, follow-up period. Both groups showed marked and significant improvements at 3 months in memory and cognitive performance (MFQ, DSST, TMT-A/B; p's ≤0.04). At 6 months, overall gains were maintained or improved (p's ≤ 0.006), with effect sizes ranging from medium (DSST, ML group) to large (DSST, KK group; TMT-A/B, MFQ). Changes were unrelated to treatment expectancies and did not differ by age, gender, baseline cognition scores, or other factors.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings of this preliminary randomized controlled trial suggest practice of meditation or ML can significantly enhance both subjective memory function and objective cognitive performance in adults with SCD, and may offer promise for improving outcomes in this population.
KEYWORDS:
Alzheimer’s disease; cognitive impairment; early memory loss; memory
PMID: 28106552 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-160867
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]