Clinical uses of mindfulness training for older people

Mindfulness training (MT) is a meditation-based approach that, on its own or in alliance with cognitive therapy, can effectively impact on several therapeutic targets such as recurrent depression, some anxiety problems, and chronic physical pain. This article outlines how mindfulness training complements cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and why it may be particularly useful to older people. The range of potential applications of MT is examined, followed by considerations of the evidence to date and both the advantages and dangers of current developments within the various MT programmes. The author's ongoing research on Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for older people with recurring depression is described. as is the use of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in routine clinical practice. Suggestions are provided regarding future research into the range of applications of MT with older people.