Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33179572›Full record

ArticleClinical gerontologist

Pilot Study of Compassion Meditation Training to Improve Well-being Among Older Adults.

Anne Malaktaris, Ariel J Lang, Pollyanna Casmar, Selena Baca, Samantha Hurst, Dilip V Jeste, Barton W Palmer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical gerontologist. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Anne MalaktarisCenter of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-6714-1356
Ariel J LangCenter of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-2468-115X
Pollyanna CasmarCenter of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.
Selena BacaDepartment of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, La Jolla California, USA.
Samantha HurstDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla California, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-9843-2845
Dilip V JesteDepartment of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-1161-7351
Barton W PalmerCenter of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-7618-3144

Funding

A Proof of Concept and Feasibility Trial of Compassion Meditation for PTSDR34AT007936 · NCCIH · VETERANS MEDICAL RESEARCH FDN/SAN DIEGO · PI LANG, ARIEL J · 2014 to 2016
$629k
NCCIH NIH HHS R34 AT007936
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesCompassion meditation (CM) training has demonstrated potential in improving well-being and psychosocial functioning. However, most prior studies of CM training have focused on younger adults. The generalizability of the effectiveness of CM training with older adults requires further study. This pilot study was intended to inform future randomized controlled studies of CM training in older adults.

methodsParticipants included 24 older adults who attended a 10-week group CM training. Exploratory outcome measures were administered prior to, during, and after the intervention. Participants also completed logs of mood and meditation practice, and provided descriptive comments in response to open-ended questions administered at the end of treatment.

resultsHigh treatment completion rates (87.5%) and reported adherence (85.7% of assigned meditation) were observed. Descriptive feedback from participants indicated older adults are interested in and capable of learning and applying new concepts and skills in support of their well-being. Pre- to post-intervention changes were explored with a variety of self-report measures. Weekly journals suggested increased feelings of love, closeness, or trust, and decreased feelings of stress, nervousness, or being overwhelmed.

conclusionsThese findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility of CM training in community-dwelling older adults, and suggest the need for future efficacy and effectiveness clinical trials. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: CM training offers potential benefits for improving well-being among older adults, and, as an example of a strengths-based approach, can be tailored to the specific needs of older adults.

Indexed as

MeditationAffectAgedEmotionsEmpathyHumansPilot Projectscompassion/empathyhealthy agingLonelinessmeditationpositive psychiatrypositive psychologypsychotherapywisdom

Identifiers

PMID33179572
PMCPMC8113346

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.