Mindfulness meditation program for the elderly in Korea: A preliminary review for planning the program

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Integrative Medicine
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Mindfulness meditation (MM) is increasingly recognized in clinical and public health settings.
• Implementing MM for disease prevention and treatment in the elderly remains a challenge.
• Analyzing Korean MM programs for seniors is crucial for developing integrated care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively analyze previous studies on MM programs for the elderly in Korea.
• To inform the development of future integrated care programs incorporating MM.
• To provide data for designing effective MM interventions for older adults.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of relevant clinical studies was conducted.
• Searched seven international and Korean domestic electronic databases.
• Data collection extended up to May 30, 2020.

Main Results:

• Sixteen articles, comprising twelve clinical studies, were included.
• Typical MM programs involved weekly sessions over eight weeks (60-90 min each).
• Improved mindfulness levels were observed, despite mixed or positive overall results and some participant dropout.

Conclusions:

• This review offers insights into MM program design, characteristics, and preliminary effectiveness for Korean seniors.
• Findings serve as preliminary data for practitioners and researchers designing MM programs for the elderly.
• Results can guide policymakers in integrating MM into care programs to enhance mental health and well-being.