Effect of a digital mindfulness intervention for mild-to-moderate late-life depression: A randomized controlled trial

Late-life depression (LLD) is a growing public health concern in aging populations. Although digital mindfulness interventions show promise for depression, anxiety, and insomnia, their efficacy and electroencephalogram (EEG) correlates in older adults with LLD remain unclear. This study evaluated the FocusZen Mindfulness Stress Reduction System, a digital mindfulness intervention with EEG feedback, in mild-to-moderate LLD.

Fifty-four participants with mild-to-moderate LLD were randomly assigned to a 6-week intervention group (n = 27; daily FocusZen sessions) or a control group (n = 27; general health education). The primary outcome was the change in HAMD-17 score. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, sleep quality, cognition, and frontal EEG spectral activity. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects models and intention-to-treat principles.

The intervention group demonstrated significant reductions in depressive symptoms [HAMD-17: F(3, 132.69) = 8.83, P < 0.001], anxiety [HAMA: F(3, 129.95) = 8.34, P < 0.001], and sleep disturbances [PSQI: F(3, 128.91) = 5.55, P = 0.01], alongside improved cognition [MOCA: F(3, 133.19) = 5.14, P = 0.01]. Response and remission rates were higher in the intervention group. Exploratory EEG analysis showed increased frontal theta [F(1.96, 43.12) = 25.28, P < 0.001] and alpha activity [F(1.44, 31.73) = 22.92, P < 0.001].

FocusZen-based digital mindfulness reduced depressive, anxiety, and sleep symptoms and improved cognition in mild-to-moderate LLD, potentially accompanied by enhanced frontal theta and alpha activity.

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR2400086063; https://www.chictr.org.cn/.