Examining the neuropsychological role and malleability of trait mindfulness in the context of physical activity and ecological momentary assessment in older adults
Date
2024
Authors
Agate, Frederic Taylor
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Abstract
Mindfulness practice has shown to benefit health, mood, and cognition in individuals across the lifespan. Trait mindfulness, the degree to which a person is mindful, is a relevant factor when examining the health and neuropsychological benefits of physical activity and exercise, such that it may play moderating and/or mediating roles. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) may be more sensitive in assessing psychological functioning associated with trait mindfulness compared to traditional measures. Trait mindfulness may, in fact, be impacted by EMA. However, less is known about the interactions of trait mindfulness, physical activity and EMA in older adults. This doctoral dissertation examined the neuropsychological role and malleability of trait mindfulness in the context of physical activity and EMA, in a sample of healthy older adults. Chapter 2 investigated the malleability of trait mindfulness in response to physical activity, and what role this may play in the relationship between physical activity and neuropsychological outcomes. Chapter 3 examined the extent to which engagement in EMA may alter trait mindfulness and how this may indirectly impact neuropsychological functioning (i.e., through mediation), as well as the sensitivity of EMA. Chapter 2 results showed that older adults who underwent an 8-week remote physical exercise training program did not make more gains in trait mindfulness than the control group. Reported physical activity did not predict gains in trait mindfulness, which did not moderate or mediate the relationship between physical activity and neuropsychological outcomes. Trait mindfulness did not predict adherence to the exercise program. According to Chapter 3 results, EMA adherence did not predict changes in trait mindfulness. EMA-measured mood also did not correlate more strongly with trait mindfulness compared to mood measured with traditional questionnaires, but gains in trait mindfulness were associated with greater EMA-measured anxiety and lower traditionally measured anxiety. Higher trait mindfulness was also associated with less variability of EMA-measured anxiety symptoms. Lastly, trait mindfulness did not mediate the relationship between EMA adherence and neuropsychological outcomes, though gains in trait mindfulness were associated with improved cognitive test performance in some areas. Results suggest that in healthy older adults, trait mindfulness may not be malleable in response to physical activity and EMA. Trait mindfulness also may not play a significant role in neuropsychological outcomes relating to physical activity and EMA. However, relationships exist that suggest a role for trait mindfulness in emotion awareness and stability as well as aspects of improved cognitive performance.
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Keywords
trait mindfulness, physical activity, ecological momentary assessment