RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIALS ON PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING ELDERLY

Abstract

Introduction: Contradicting reports on peripheral BDNF levels in patients with dementia and the dearth of literatures on how mindfulness intervention and horticultural therapy may modulate cognition and psychological well-being, prompted us to initiate two randomized-controlled trials. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis were employed to examine aggregate serum BDNF levels. Subsequently, to examine the effects of the interventions, biomarkers candidates and psychometric measures were utilised. Results: We found significantly decreased levels of BDNF in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). MAP-RCT significantly improved hs-CRP levels, attention and recognition memory. In HT-RCT, interleukin-6 levels had been significantly decreased and the levels of SDF-1α, RANTES and BDNF maintained, coupled with significant improvements in social connectedness. Conclusion: On top of improving psychometric scores, improvements in biomarkers also provided biological evidence of the interventions. The findings of these two RCTs supported the nationwide expansion of the interventions in the form of dementia prevention program and therapeutic gardens.