Schedule of Events | Symposia

Mindfulness meditation with neurofeedback in older adults experiencing loneliness: a pilot randomised controlled study

Poster Session D - Monday, March 31, 2025, 8:00 – 10:00 am EDT, Back Bay Ballroom/Republic Ballroom

Eugenie Roudaia¹ (eroudaia@research.baycrest.org), Nicole D. Anderson^1,2, Malcolm Binns^1,2, Morris Freedman¹, Nasreen Khatri¹, Linda Mah^1,2, Gibbs Jr Ollivierre^1,3, Helena Teng¹, Konka Paul¹, Allison B. Sekuler^1,2,3; ¹Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest, ²University of Toronto, ³McMaster University

Lonely older adults face a greater risk of cognitive decline and depression. More interventions are needed to support mental well-being and cognitive health in this population. Growing evidence suggests that mindfulness meditation can improve mood, enhance cognitive function, and potentially reduce loneliness. Meditation apps offer an accessible way to learn meditation, but more research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness for older adults. This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the feasibility and preliminary effects of a Muse-based mindfulness intervention (MM) in 26 lonely older adults. Participants were randomized to an 8-week MM program or a brain-training active control (BT) program. Muse is a meditation app that provides real-time neurofeedback during meditation. The MM group completed meditation sessions with neurofeedback and guided meditations, while the BT group engaged in cognitive games on the Peak app and listened to podcasts. Both groups had matched interaction times with staff and program durations. Outcome measures included self-reported loneliness, stress, depression, well-being, quality of life (QOL), sleep, resilience, and mindfulness. Cognitive tasks assessing memory, attention, and breath counting were administered by blinded staff. Assessments occurred at Pre, Mid, Post, and 2- and 4-month follow-ups. Both programs were engaging, and remote assessments were feasible. The MM group demonstrated greater improvements in depressive symptoms and psychological and physical QOL compared to the BT group at Post, which were sustained at the 4-month follow-up. A Muse-based mindfulness program is an acceptable and accessible intervention for older adults. A larger randomized trial is warranted to confirm its efficacy.

Topic Area: EMOTION & SOCIAL: Development & aging