Exploring how personalized digital meditation can improve cognition, sleep, and reduce stress in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Official title: A Pilot Study of the Impact of Personalized Digital Meditation on Improving Cognition and Sleep and Reducing Stress in MCI
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10912009 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special digital meditation program called MediTrain can help older adults, especially those with mild cognitive impairment, by improving their thinking skills, sleep, and stress levels over six weeks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $524,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R61AG083503-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912009 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above, particularly those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are cognitively healthy or those with advanced dementia may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of a unique digital meditation program called MediTrain on older adults, particularly those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The program aims to enhance cognitive function, improve sleep quality, and reduce stress levels. Participants will engage in a randomized controlled trial over six weeks, where their cognitive abilities, sleep patterns, and stress responses will be monitored and evaluated. The study seeks to gather pilot data to understand the potential benefits of this intervention for both cognitively normal older adults and those experiencing MCI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, non-invasive methods for improving cognitive health and quality of life in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that digital meditation can improve cognitive function and reduce stress in older adults, suggesting a promising avenue for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ziegler, David a — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ziegler, David a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.