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Dr. Eric Lenze
The uncertainties and difficulties that emerged from the pandemic exacerbated mental health concerns, causing drastic increases in the number of people treated for depression and anxiety. One way of moving forward, according to the American Psychological Association, is fostering resilience, defined as “behaviors, thoughts, and actions that can be learned and developed in anyone.”
Now, thanks to a five-year, $9.1 million federal grant, researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine are looking at how exercise and mindfulness may build resilience in older adults—and, how in turn, resilience may boost brain health and potentially prevent depression, anxiety, and dementia in adults ages 65 and older. The study’s principal investigator is Washington University psychiatry professor Dr. Eric Lenze, the director of the university’s Healthy Mind Lab. “Our society is in the midst of a natural experiment on the negative effects of stress on cognitive and emotional health,” says Lenze. “Older adults have been hit with a double whammy. On the one hand, they’ve had to take steps to protect themselves from COVID-19 infection, such as staying away from other people. On the other hand, the stresses associated with social isolation can cause cognitive problems and contribute to anxiety and depression.” Being resilient, Lenze notes, doesn’t make people immune from stress, depression, or cognitive decline. But it can potentially help buffer the long-term effects of stress and support an overall sense of mental and emotional well-being.
How does the study expand upon research you’ve already conducted regarding resilience? Before the pandemic began, we recruited almost 600 adults over age 65 for a study that looked at the impact of mindfulness, exercise, and educational resources. About 80 percent of the people who participated in that study are continuing with the new study. Since the participants were studied before the pandemic began, we can test whether exercise and mindfulness provide benefits against stress and social isolation.
What will the tests measuring resilience and the impact of stress on brain health include? Measurements will include cognitive tests and MRI scans taken of subjects’ brains. The production of amyloid, one of the proteins that clumps together in the plaques found in Alzheimer’s disease, will also be measured.
How will the study aid public health? I hope that by the end of the study, we will know a lot more about the stresses of the pandemic and how those stresses did or did not affect resilience and biological pathogens. We expect that mindfulness and exercise may have beneficial effects on brain health and on resilience.
What are some of the attributes that aid resiliency? Positive thinking, being action-oriented, practicing mindfulness to mitigate stress.
If someone is feeling depressed or anxious, should they see a psychiatrist? They should start with their primary care providers and discuss how they’ve been feeling and the potential for counseling, lifestyle changes, and appropriate medicines.
How can someone practice mindfulness and potentially boost resiliency? Yoga and meditation can help. Making lifestyle changes, such as eating more nutritiously and getting regular exercise; having a positive attitude; and being action-oriented are also associated with greater resiliency.
