Mindfulness to Enhance Cognitive Health in Latino Older Adults

Mindfulness to Enhance Cognitive Health in Latinx Older Adults

The primary objective of the proposed research is to investigate the promise and underlying mechanisms of mindfulness training as a preventative lifestyle intervention to enhance cognitive health in Latino older adults, thereby mitigating risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in a population that may be particularly vulnerable.

This proposal rigorously examines the feasibility and mechanisms of action of a novel, culturally-sensitive mindfulness training program developed by the PIs, utilizing EEG methods and theoretically-optimized cognitive control tasks to assess neurocognitive effects. Additionally, blood-based assessment of AD biomarkers will be utilized to test whether biomarker status will moderate the effect of training, such that the neurocognitive benefits will be larger Latino older adults with greater evidence of AD-related pathology. Furthermore, the study will also seek to elucidate the subjective effects of mindfulness training on daily-life experiences using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods. The study will utilize a mixed between and within-subject design involving longitudinal (pre vs. post-training) assessment and a wait-list control group. 60 Latino older adults will first complete a baseline assessment protocol, followed by randomized assignment to either the mindfulness or wait-list group (N=30 in each group). The mindfulness group will receive 8 weeks of mindfulness training. During this 8-week period participants from both groups will also complete an EMA protocol, consisting of prompts occurring 4x/day on 3 random days per week, assessing subjective mindfulness states, practice experiences, mood, cognition, setting, and activity. Both groups will then return to repeat performance of the same assessment protocol. The assessment protocol involves two testing sessions performed on separate days, each involving completion of the Stroop and AX-CPT task while continuous EEG is recorded. The mindfulness training curriculum utilizes a novel adaptation of the well-validated mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course, that has been previously validated in focus groups. Participants will meet weekly with an instructor (either in-person or on-line) in classes to receive instructions and practice mindfulness skills. The curriculum embeds core MBSR principles and practices within a culturally-sensitive didactic framework, that includes four key modifications: (1) delivering all instruction in participants native Spanish language; (2) emphasizing/encouraging the connection between mindfulness practices and participants' personal religious beliefs (e.g., "connecting the breath/body to God"), (3) incorporating culturally unique experiences into group activities/exercises (e.g., sharing immigration stories and examining how alterations in perspective can influence meaning and affect), and (4) adding more familial focus to course content (e.g., highlighting how certain skills or practices can benefit the family). In addition to weekly class meetings, participants will also have access to instructional videos and guided audio practices available on their mobile device; on these devices, they will also be periodically prompted to partake in a short mindfulness behavioral task, a 2-minute breath-counting exercise. Finally, all participants will complete a blood draw at the end of the study to determine AD biomarker status. Outcomes will be assessed using EMA measures of daily mindfulness and mood/cognition as well as other qualitative self-report measures assessing the accessibility, utility and feasibility of the mindfulness training curriculum (Aim 1); EEG/ERP measures of state mindfulness and neurocognitive functioning (Aim 2); behavioral metrics of cognitive performance (Aim 2); and moderating role of AD biomarker status (Aim 3).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hispanic/Latino
• Age 65 and older
• Male, female, or non-binary
• Community living
• Medically stable and willing to undergo the study procedures
• No extensive mindfulness training experience

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinically unstable psychiatric disorder that requires immediate treatment (e.g., ECT)
• Medical conditions suggesting significantly shortened lifespan (e.g., metastatic cancer) or prohibiting safe participation in the interventions/assessments (e.g., Parkinson's disease, musculoskeletal conditions)
• Sensory impairment (hearing, vision) preventing participation
• Current alcohol or substance abuse
• Current/concurrent cognitive training known to affect neuroplasticity (e.g., brain-training programs), or other interventions expected to affect neuroplasticity significantly (e.g., psychedelics, cholinesterase inhibitors, high-dose sedatives).