The effects of a mindfulness-based programme on quality of life and social support in older people

Abstract The importance of mindfulness in promoting mental health and well-being has been increasingly recognised in recent years. As a result, mindfulness-based interventions have been introduced to improve various aspects of life, including quality of life and social support. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme in improving quality of life and social support among participants in the intervention compared to a control group. A total of 257 participants (65+) were recruited and assigned to either the intervention group, which participated in the seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme, or the control group, which received no intervention. The workshop programme combined two evidence-based programmes: The Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme (CDSMP) and the Mindfulness-based Living Programme. Participants completed two questionnaires (EQ-5D-5L and OSSS-3) to assess quality of life and social support before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical tests to compare pre- and post-intervention outcomes between groups. The intervention group showed significant improvement in quality of life (p<.001) and social support scores (p = 0.002) after the seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme. The control group, on the other hand, showed no significant changes in these measures. The significant improvement indicates the effectiveness of the mindfulness-based workshop programme. The results of this study show the positive effects of a seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme on the quality of life and social support of older people. The results suggest that mindfulness-based interventions can be an effective tool for improving mental health and well-being by promoting quality of life and strengthening social support networks. Key messages • The seven-week mindfulness-based workshop programme improves the quality of life and social support of older people, which can have an impact on overall mental health and well-being in general. • The results of this study can ensure a sustainable impact on achieving better health outcomes and saving resources in the health care system through reduced and more effective use of services.