A study with French seniors found that 18 months of meditation training had no effect on the volume and perfusion of selected brain areas. However, the authors claim significantly better metacognitive, prosocial and self-regulatory skills compared to a similarly structured language learning program.
Background
According to the authors of the current study, there have been no randomized trials in which lifestyle factors have targeted psychoaffective risk factors for dementia.Recently, meditation exercises have proven to be a promising approach to promote brain health through mental training and reduce the risk of dementia.
Design
«Age-Well» was a randomized, controlled superiority study in which endpoints were measured blinded. 137 self-employed seniors aged 65 and over (average 69.4; 60.6% women) in France took part. The participants were divided into 3 groups, and received either 18-month meditation training or a similarly structured language training (2 group lessons per week, and at least 20 minutes at home daily), or no intervention. Primary study objectives were volume and perfusion of two brain regions, the anterior cingulate cortex (), and the insula. Only after the start of the study were the secondary outcomes determined and «according to the goals and hypotheses of the Age Well study» a questionnaire-determined composite value for «metacognitive, prosocial and self-regulatory abilities» determined.
Results
- With one exception, all participants completed the study.There were no differences in the change in brain region volumes between the groups:
- : 0.01 (98.75% confidence interval – 0.002 to 0.05; P = 0.36),
- Insula: 0.01 (98.75% CI – 0.02 to 0.03; P = 0.58).
- Changes in perfusion compared to no intervention of the meditation group were not statistically significant: : 0.02 (98.75 CI – 0.01 to 0.05; P = 0.06).
- In the perfusion of the insula, the meditation group was compared with the language learning group – again, there was no significant difference: 0.02 (98.75 CI – 0.01 to 0.05; P = 0.09).
- The composite score for metacognitive, prosocial and self-regulatory skills was significantly better after mediation than after the English language course (Cohen d 0.52; 95% CI 0.019 – 0.85; P = 0.002).
- : 0.01 (98.75% confidence interval – 0.002 to 0.05; P = 0.36),
- Insula: 0.01 (98.75% CI – 0.02 to 0.03; P = 0.58).
Clinical significance
Numerous parameters offered themselves to measure the effects of an 18-month meditation training. Significance was achieved only for a parameter that was not predetermined and explicitly selected based on the authors’ goals and hypotheses.This does not correspond to best scientific practice and so the question of clinical significance remains unanswered.
Funding: EU Horizon 2020 programme, Fondation d’ Entreprise MMA des Entrepreneurs du Futur.
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Source — https://www.univadis.de/viewarticle/studie-sucht-nach-positiven-effekten-der-meditation-im-alter