Effects of mindfulness training on sustained attention and mind-wandering in older adults: results from the HealthyAgers randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: Older adults exhibit age-related declines in processes of attentional control, demonstrating an emergent need to identify mind-body interventions that support healthy cognitive aging. Mindfulness training is a promising intervention for improving attentional control processes, but relatively few methodologically rigorous studies have examined whether these effects extend to older adults. METHODS: This pre-registered Stage II randomized controlled trial (RCT) of older adults (N = 150), aged 65-85 years, examined the effects of eight weeks of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) versus an active control training program on immediate and long-term metrics of attentional control. RESULTS: Compared with the active control, MBSR did not differentially improve most metrics of sustained attention or mind-wandering, although a small effect was observed for self-reported task-unrelated thoughts. Improvements were observed in Go/No-Go (GNG) dL over time. Additionally, Groups differed on the GNG reaction time coefficient of variability and the Conners Continuous Performance Test d' and reaction time variability. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that mindfulness training compared to an active control may not differentially enhance attentional control among older adults.