Music Breathing in Enhancing Resilience Among Elders at Risk of Mental Health Problems

Effects of a Mindfulness-based Music Breathing Intervention in Enhancing Resilience Among Community-dwelling Elders at Risk of Mental Health Problems: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

The goal of this pilot randomised controlled trial is to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based music breathing intervention in enhancing resilience (primary outcome), and in reducing anxiety, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and improving health-related quality of life (secondary outcomes) among community-dwelling older adults at risk of mental health problems.

It is hypothesised that compared with the control group, participants in the intervention group will report enhanced resilience, reduced anxiety, depressive symptoms, and loneliness, and improved health-related quality of life immediately post-intervention.

Background:

Evidence shows that community-dwelling elders experience a myriad of life challenges related to psychosocial well-being, including loneliness, social isolation, and reduced social participation, which are associated with anxiety, depressive symptoms, jeopardising their overall quality of life. Resilience, the capacity to adapt and maintain psychological well-being in stressful events, is a protective factor against emotional dysregulation and negative emotions. Music and mindfulness-based interventions have emerged as promising strategies for promoting psychological well-being among diverse populations. However, no research has yet been conducted to assess the effectiveness of an integrated music and mindfulness-based breathing intervention in enhancing resilience among elders at risk of mental health problems.

Design and subjects: A single-blind, two-arm parallel-group, prospective randomised controlled trial of a mindfulness-based music breathing intervention will be conducted in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines. 40 community-dwelling elders aged 65 years or above who has mild to moderate anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (i.e., a score of 8 or higher on either the anxiety or depression subscale) will be randomised 1:1 to intervention and control groups.

Instruments: Validated questionnaires, including the Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), the Chinese version of HADS, the Chinese version of the EQ-5D-3L and the Chinese version of the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale.

Interventions: Participants in the intervention group will receive a 4-week music plus mindfulness-based breathing program, consisting of one 60-minute face-to-face session per week. The sessions will be delivered in small groups (8-10 older adults per group) by a qualified music breathing practitioner. The intervention will follow a structured protocol developed by the research team and reviewed by a certified music-breathing therapist. Participants in the control group will receive usual care, which may include access to existing community-based services, health education, or leisure activities.

Main outcome measure: Data collection will be conducted at baseline (T0) and immediately post-intervention (T1). The primary outcome is levels of resilience. Secondary outcomes include anxiety levels and depressive symptoms, loneliness, and health-related quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 65 years or above
• Able to read Chinese and communicate in Cantonese/Mandarin.
• Has mild to moderate anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, based on the - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (i.e., a score of 8 or higher on either the anxiety or depression subscale)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Partcipants will be excluded if they have cognitive impairment, hearing loss, severe depression, known mental illness, or chronic illness.