A Review of the Effects of Positive Meditation on Memory in Older Adults
Abstract
origin, and main forms of positive thinking meditation, highlighting its growing recognition in mental health and healing, particularly in Western cultures facing increased academic stress and mental health issues.
??The review highlights several factors affecting memory in older adults, including attention, external distractions, and fatigue. It discusses
Alzheimers disease as one of the most common types of dementia affecting memory in this age group. Positive mindfulness meditation has
been shown to improve attention, enhance cognitive flexibility and memory retrieval, and reduce anxiety and stress levels in older adults, contributing to better mental health and quality of life.
??Moreover, the article reviews studies indicating that mindfulness meditation can enhance attention span, allowing older adults to process
information with greater focus, aiding in memory formation and extraction. Emotional health is also closely related to memory capacity, and a
positive emotional state fosters memory formation and retention.
??Despite the promising results, the review notes that there is insufficient empirical support for the long-term effectiveness of positive
thinking interventions in enhancing cognitive performance. Future research should focus on the sustained impact of positive mindfulness meditation on memory and cognitive functioning in older adults, as well as its effects on brain structure and function. The application of positive
mindfulness meditation in conjunction with other therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and physiotherapy, is suggested to provide
integrated care for older adults.
??In conclusion, positive mindfulness meditation shows potential in improving memory and cognitive function in older adults. However,
further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms, long-term effects, and individual differences. The nursing field should actively
apply these findings to develop scientifically sound interventions, ultimately enhancing the quality of life and promoting physical and mental
health among older adults.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
[1] Tang, Yi-Yuan, Hlzel, et al. The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation.[J]. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2015.
[2] Ogliastri E, Zuniga R. An introduction to mindfulness and sensemaking by highly reliable organizations in Latin America[J]. Journal of
Business Research, 2016, 69(10):4429-4434.
[3] Koon C M, Chan Y W, Lau K M, et al. A Comprehensive Guide to Chinese Medicine[M]. WORLD SCIENTIFIC, 2003.
[4] Bhikkhu B. MINDFULNESS WITH BREATHING: GETTING STARTED[J]. [2024-10-25].
[5] Angeline S. Lillard.Mindfulness Practices in Education: Montessori's Approach[J]. Mindfulness, 2011, 2(2):78-85.
[6] Blanck P, Perleth S, Heidenreich T, et al. Effects of mindfulness exercises as stand-alone intervention on symptoms of anxiety and depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Behav Res Ther, 2018, 102:25-35.
[7] Kirmayer L J. Mindfulness in cultural context[J]. Transcultural Psychiatry, 2015, 52(4):447-469.
[8] Kirmayer LJ. Mindfulness in cultural context. Transcult Psychiatry. 2015 Aug; 52(4):447-69. doi: 10.1177/1363461515598949. Erratum
in: Transcult Psychiatry. 2015 Oct;52(5): e1. Erratum in: Transcult Psychiatry. 2015 Oct; 52(5): e1.
[9] Tse B. Questioning the Universality of Mindfulness-Based Programs: Reflections From a Self-Construal Perspective. Front Psychol.
2022 Jun 14; 13:908503.
[10] Juan-Luis Surez, Sancho F. A Virtual Laboratory for the Study of History and Cultural Dynamics[J]. Journal of Artificial Societies and
Social Simulation, 2011, 14(4):19.
[11] Stevens FC, Kaplan CD, Ponds RW, Diederiks JP, Jolles J. How ageing and social factors affect memory. Age Ageing. 1999 Jul;
28(4):379-84.
[12] Flicker L A, Ford A H, Beer C D, et al. Memory loss[J]. The Medical journal of Australia, 2012, 196(2):114-117.
[13] Deweer B, S Lehricy, Pillon B, et al. Memory disorders in probable Alzheimer's disease: The role of hippocampal atrophy as shown
with MRI[J]. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1995, 58(5):590-597.
[14] Fountain-Zaragoza S, Prakash RS. Mindfulness Training for Healthy Aging: Impact on Attention, Well-Being, and Inflammation. Front
Aging Neurosci. 2017 Feb 3;9:11.
[15] Kramer R S S, Weger U W, Sharma D. The effect of mindfulness meditation on time perception[J]. Consciousness & Cognition, 2013,
22(3):846-852.
[16] Klimecki O, Marchant NL, Lutz A, Poisnel G, Chtelat G, Collette F. The impact of meditation on healthy ageing - the current state of
knowledge and a roadmap to future directions. Curr Opin Psychol. 2019 Aug;28:223-228.
[17] Rose L, Jingjing S, Kathi H. Effects of Mindfulness on Cognition in Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Meta-Analysis[J]. Innovation in Aging, 2023(Supplement_1): Supplement_1.
[18] Kurmi N, Bhagyalakshmi K, Kini R D. Effect of mindfulness meditation on attention and working memory in elderly people[J]. Indian
Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology, 2019.
[19] Aisenberg-Shafran D, Shturm L. The effects of mindfulness meditation versus CBT for anxiety on emotional distress and attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment: a semi-randomized trial. Sci Rep. 2022 Nov 16;12(1):19711.
[20] Keng S L, Smoski M J, Robins C J. Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies.[J]. Clinical Psychology Review, 2011, 31(6):1041-1056.
[21] Parra D C, Wetherell J L, Zandt A V, et al. A Qualitative study of older adults' perspectives on initiating exercise and mindfulness
practice[J]. BMC Geriatrics, 2019, 19(1).
[22] Redden J M, Korol S A, Vassallo T. An Evaluation of a Brief Guided Mindfulness Workshop With Older Adults: A Qualitative Study[J].
Mental Health & Prevention, 2021.
[23] Mudiyanselage C A K R A, Ewens B, Smyth A, et al. Enablers and Barriers of Online Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Informal
Carers: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review[J]. Mindfulness, 2024, 15(6):1257-1274.
[24] Baer R A.Mindfulness Training as a Clinical Intervention: A Conceptual and Empirical Review[J]. Clinical Psychology Science & Practice, 2010, 10(2):125-143.
[25] Mahendran R.Mindfulness Awareness Practice (MAP) to Prevent Dementia in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Protocol
of a Randomized Controlled Trial and Implementation Outcomes[J]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
2021, 18.
[26] Baer R A.Mindfulness Training as a Clinical Intervention: A Conceptual and Empirical Review[J]. Clinical Psychology Science & Practice, 2010, 10(2):125-143.
[27] Tanner MA, Travis F, Gaylord-King C, Haaga DA, Grosswald S, Schneider RH. The effects of the transcendental meditation program
on mindfulness. J Clin Psychol. 2009 Jun; 65(6):574-89.
[28] Mazumder H, Faizah F, Gain EP, Sharmin Eva I, Ferdouse Mou K, Saha N, Rahman F, Das J, Islam AMK, Nesa F, Hossain MM. Effectiveness of mental health interventions for older adults in South Asia: A scoping review. PLoS One. 2023 Jul 7;18(7): e0287883.
[29] Hmwe NTT, Chan CM, Shayamalie TGN. Older people's experiences of participation in mindfulness-based intervention programmes: A
qualitative systematic review. Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2024 May 8.
[30] Wadi M, Yusoff M S B, Abdul Rahim A F, et al. Factors affecting test anxiety: a qualitative analysis of medical students' views[J]. BMC
Psychology, 2022, 10(1):1-8.
[31] Geiger PJ, Boggero IA, Brake CA, Caldera CA, Combs HL, Peters JR, Baer RA. Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Older Adults: A
Review of the Effects on Physical and Emotional Well-being. Mindfulness (N Y). 2016 Apr; 7(2):296-307.
[32] Geiger PJ, Boggero IA, Brake CA, Caldera CA, Combs HL, Peters JR, Baer RA. Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Older Adults: A
Review of the Effects on Physical and Emotional Well-being. Mindfulness (N Y). 2016 Apr;7(2):296-307.
[33] Lotte B, Franca W, Jim V O, et al. Mindfulness Training for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers: Rationale, Current Research,
and Future Directions[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2018, 9:982-.
[34] Lotte B, Franca W, Jim VO, et al. Mindfulness Training for People With Dementia and Their Caregivers: Rationale, Current Research,
and Future Directions[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2018, 9:982-.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.70711/mhr.v2i4.5502
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.