Compassion Meditation for Older Adults

Feasibility Study of Compassion Meditation Intervention for Older Veterans in Primary Care With Anxiety or Mood Disorders

Some older Veterans with psychological distress may under-utilize mental health services due to perceived stigma of symptom-focused interventions. This study was designed to examine the feasibility of a strengths-based compassion training intervention with Veterans ages > 55 years with anxiety or depressive symptoms. Although this study was focused on feasibility if successful, this line of research could open the door to a novel and effective treatment that widens acceptance by older Veterans with psychological distress.

Many older Veterans in VA primary care clinics experience anxiety and depressive symptoms, but only a minority of these Veterans seek care through VA mental health services. Research suggests that some older Veterans with psychological distress under-utilize mental health services due to perceived stigma of treatments focused on mental health symptoms. However, prior research with civilians, including one study of Veterans with PTSD, suggests a strengths-focused intervention that provides group training in compassion meditation may be effective in reducing negative emotions and increasing positive emotions and well-being. This project was designed to examine the feasibility of this approach with Veterans ages > 55 years with anxiety or depression. The study was designed to guide and support development of a future larger-size, more definitive follow-up project. . If successful, this line of research could open the door to a novel and effective treatment that widens acceptance by older Veterans with psychological distress.

Inclusion Criteria:

• VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) patient
• current mild-to-moderate anxiety or depressive symptoms as defined by scores between 5 and 14 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and or Generalized Anxiety Disorders scale (GAD-7).
• stated intention to attend the 10 group sessions at the scheduled times at the VASDHS in addition to the baseline and follow-up study assessment visits, as well as to complete the outside homework assignments
• provides written informed consent for participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• no active suicidality/homicidality in the preceding six months
• untreated alcohol or substance use disorders
• changes to psychiatric medications within six months prior to the baseline evaluation
• medical and/or psychiatric instability interfering with current ability to engage in the group sessions and outside homework assignments