Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Versus Lifestyle Education for Fluid and Driving-Related Cognition in Older Adults: Results from the Healthy Agers Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objectives The current study examined the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), compared with an active control lifestyle education program (LifeEd), in improving fluid and driving-related cognition in older adults. Dose–response associations between mindfulness practice and treatment gains were also examined. Method One hundred fifty participants were randomized to one of two groups. Outcomes were assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Results There were no significant group-by-time interaction effects or dose–response associations ( p > 0.05). Both groups improved on tasks of fluid and driving-related cognition at post-intervention and/or follow-up ( p < 0.05). Conclusions Older adults in both groups showed improvements in cognition across the 12-month period, with no evidence of a differential advantage for MBSR. Structured, cognitively engaging interventions may support cognition in later life through multiple pathways, although practice effects cannot be ruled out in this study. Pre-registration See ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03626532) and Open Science Framework pre-registration: https://osf.io/3jmru/overview?view_only=09f091be1d0d4c4da7a99c3fcb6e2b4a