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Mind-Body Therapies for Late-Life Mental and Cognitive Health

  • Geriatric Disorders (W McDonald, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

A growing body of research supports the use of mind-body therapies (MBTs) as minimally invasive and effective approaches for the management of late-life mood and cognitive disorders.

Recent Findings

Recent randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses indicate that MBTs are effective for enhancing well-being, mood, sleep, and cognition in older adults. Evidence suggests that mindful movement (e.g., yoga, tai chi, walking meditation) may even outperform conventional physical exercise with regard to effects on quality of life, mood, and cognitive functioning.

Summary

Practitioners may recommend MBTs as holistic, effective approaches for the management of common late-life mood and cognitive disorders. Continued research on MBTs will inform the development of even more effective/targeted interventions and contribute to greater acceptance and integration of these therapies into geriatric medicine and psychiatry.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Kelsey T. Laird, Pattharee Paholpak, Berna Rahi & Helen Lavretsky

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

    Pattharee Paholpak

  3. David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Michael Roman

  4. Late-life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Helen Lavretsky

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  1. Kelsey T. Laird
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Correspondence to Helen Lavretsky.

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Kelsey T. Laird, Pattharee Paholpak, Michael Roman, and Berna Rahi declare no conflict of interest.

Helen Lavretsky has received research support from Allergan, Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, PCORI, NIMH/NIH, and NCCIH/NIH.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Geriatric Disorders

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Laird, K.T., Paholpak, P., Roman, M. et al. Mind-Body Therapies for Late-Life Mental and Cognitive Health. Curr Psychiatry Rep 20, 2 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0864-4

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