A randomized controlled trial of two simple mind-body programs, Kirtan Kriya meditation and music listening, for adults with subjective cognitive decline: Feasibility and acceptability

- Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a strong early predictor of Alzheimer's disease, is associated with significant health and neuropsychiatric burden, and may represent a critical therapeutic window for intervention. However, adults with SCD rarely seek medical care.
- Although simple home-based mind-body therapies such as meditation and music listening may hold promise for improving outcomes this population, studies are lacking.
- In this feasibility study of community-dwelling older adults with SCD, enrollment was robust, retention and compliance in both groups were excellent, and satisfaction with both programs was high.
- These findings suggest that these simple home-based mind-body therapies were well-accepted and the practices are feasible for older adults experiencing early memory loss.

Purpose of the studyIn this randomized controlled trial (RCT), we assessed the feasibility and acceptability of two simple home-based relaxation programs in adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline, a strong predictor of Alzheimer's disease.Design and methodsSixty participants were randomized to a beginner Kirtan Kriya meditation (KK) program or a music listening (ML) program. Participants were asked to practice 12 min daily for the first 12 weeks, then as often as they liked for the following 3 months. Participants underwent assessments at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months to evaluate changes in key outcomes. Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated by measuring recruitment and retention rates, assessment visit attendance, practice adherence, and treatment expectancy; exit questionnaires completed at 12 weeks and 6 months provided additional data regarding participant experience with the study, perceived barriers to and facilitators of practice, reasons for drop-out, and views regarding the assigned intervention.ResultsFifty-three participants (88%) completed the 6 month study. Adherence in both groups was excellent, with participants completing 93% (91% KK, 94% ML) of sessions on average in the first 12 weeks, and 71% (68% KK, 74% ML) during the 3 month, practice-optional, follow-up period. At week 12, over 80% of participants indicated they were likely to continue practicing following study completion. Responses to both structured and open-ended exit questionnaire items also suggested high satisfaction with both programs.ConclusionsFindings of this RCT of a beginner meditation practice and a simple ML program suggest that both programs were well accepted and the practices are feasible in adults with early memory loss.