Can an online mindfulness course protect your brain?
NCT ID NCT07019402
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 28, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This study tests whether an 8-week internet-based mindfulness program (iMBSR) can improve brain health in adults aged 50 and older who have subjective cognitive decline, a potential early sign of Alzheimer's disease. Sixty participants will be randomly assigned to either the mindfulness program or a lifestyle education control group. Researchers will measure feasibility, brain activity, and blood biomarkers to see if the approach is promising.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Internet-based Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (iMBSR) program
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, accessible way to support brain health and reduce Alzheimer's risk in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-stage pilot study focused on feasibility, not proof of effectiveness. Results may not apply to everyone, and the intervention may not produce meaningful changes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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60 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jun 2025
- Finished
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Jul 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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50 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 50 years or greater * Capable of attending screening and assessment sessions and the internet-based intervention modules * Fluent English speaker * Corrected (near and far) visual acuity of 20/40 or better * Adequate hearing for experimental purposes * Absence of diagnosed terminal illness * Absence of diagnosed neurological disorders * No history of psychotic disorder or substance abuse disorder diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist * Absence of medication use that significantly alters brain activity * No history of diagnosed learning disability that would interfere with the completion of the cognitive tasks * Report elevated scores on the self-report Everyday Cognition (E-Cog)-39 subjective cognitive decline with normatively intact performance on cognitive testing (as determined by the neuropsychological battery) * No evidence of mild cognitive impairment or dementia as assessed by the neuropsychological measures from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set OR inadequate self-reported performance of instrumental activities of daily living * Ability to engage in light stretching/movement-based activities with or without assistive devices * Absence of any MRI contraindications * Not pregnant and not attempting to become pregnant * Absence of self-reported claustrophobia * No regular practice of meditation or yoga (defined as once or more per week) AND No previous participation in a structured mindfulness class (e.g., Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, intensive meditation retreat) * Access to internet and at-home computer with a working microphone and video * Not enrolled in other RCTs examining the efficacy of exercise training, cognitive rehabilitation, stress management, progressive muscle relaxation or other health-based rehabilitation Exclusion Criteria: * Aged less than 50 years * Any physical or pragmatic limitation that prohibits attendance of screening or assessment sessions, or intervention engagement * No fluency in English * Corrected (near or far) visual acuity worse than 20/40 * Self-reported hearing impairment that would affect ability to hear the experimenter * Diagnosis of terminal illness * Presence of diagnosed neurological disorders such as: Alzheimer's disease, Vascular Dementia, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Fronto-Temporal Lobar Degeneration, Lewy Body Disease * History of psychotic disorder or substance abuse disorder diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist * Medication use that significantly alters brain activity * History of diagnosed learning disability that would interfere with the completion of the cognitive tasks * Does not report subjective cognitive decline AND/ OR does not perform in the normatively intact range on neuropsychological testing * Evidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia OR inadequate self-reported performance of instrumental activities of daily living * Any physical limitation or pragmatic limitation that prohibits attendance at assessment sessions and intervention modules with or without assistive devices * Presence of MRI contraindications as assessed through the MRI screening form. * Pregnant or attempting to become pregnant * Self-reported claustrophobia * Any regular practice of meditation or yoga (defined as once or more per week) OR Previous participation in a structured mindfulness class (e.g., Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, intensive meditation retreat) * No access to internet or at-home computer with a working microphone and video * Current enrollment in other RCTs examining the efficacy of exercise training, cognitive rehabilitation, stress management, progressive muscle relaxation or other health-based rehabilitation
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Department of Psychology
Columbus, Ohio, 43201, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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