e-Mindfulness for Depression in Older Adults

This pilot study will test whether depression symptoms and cognitive functioning are impacted by internet-delivered mindfulness training following the principles of mindfulness meditation. The population is adults ages 65+ experiencing a current major depressive episode. Participants will receive an approximate 10-week instruction in mindfulness meditation, provided remotely through internet. Outcomes are depressive symptoms, assessed via clinical interview and self-report, and cognitive function, assessed via smartphone-delivered cognitive tests and surveys. The total duration of participation is approximately 18 weeks.

The investigators will conduct a clinical trial using a smartphone app to collect data on depressive symptoms and cognitive function, and a website to deliver pre-recorded mindfulness sessions. The clinical trial will evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy with respect to depressive and cognitive symptoms, in a population of older adults at least 65 years of age with a current, active major depressive episode. This online, internet-delivered mindfulness meditation course is termed "Mindful My Way", consisting of 10 approximately one-hour classes consisting of mindfulness content (e.g., meditations) that a participant can watch on his or her computer or mobile device. Assessment measures include a baseline diagnostic and screening assessment conducted by phone or RedCap survey, plus: * Pre-mindfulness and post-mindfulness : (a) (1) 4 weeks of cognitive testing delivered via app (brief game-like tests delivered up to 4 times daily); and (2) 4 weeks of depressive symptom surveys (8 depressive symptoms delivered 4 times daily) end of study, (b) a MADRS via phone interview (brief clinical interview of depressive symptom severity). * During the mindfulness class: questions on participant preferences in order to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the mindfulness course, delivered via app. All of these remote smartphone-based assessment techniques have been previously used in Wash U IRB-approved studies. (IRB # 201612089, IRB # 201709118).