Objectives: Chronic medical conditions can increase the likelihood of experiencing psychological distress and mental health problems among older adults. Mindfulness interventions (MIs) are evidence-based treatment approaches that can improve psychological outcomes. This systematic literature review examines MI studies that focused on older adults (≥60 years old) with chronic health conditions.
Methods: Five databases were systematically searched for intervention studies that involved older adults with chronic health conditions who received acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, or mindfulness-based stress reduction and that included psychological outcomes.
Results: A total of 17 studies were identified that met criteria for inclusion. These studies involved interventions for a range of chronic health conditions including chronic pain, stroke, type 2 diabetes, insomnia, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Conclusions: Early evidence for MIs impact on psychological outcomes is promising, though more work involving randomized control trials is needed. Current studies generally lack methodological rigor and have a high risk of bias. Given the high rates of chronic pain in older adults and the emerging evidence for MIs, future work in this area is of particular value.
Clinical implications: Practitioners should be guardedly optimistic about the value of MIs and ACT for older adults with chronic health conditions.
Keywords: Mindfulness intervention; acceptance and commitment therapy; anxiety; chronic health conditions; depression; functional impairment; older adults.