Depression scores fell after combined mindfulness and cold water training
A pilot study reported lower depression scores and a significant change in anxiety scores. Perceived executive functioning showed no significant change.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Depressive symptoms decreased after participants completed the combined program. Anxiety scores also changed significantly, although the abstract does not specify whether they rose or fell. Perceived executive functioning showed no significant change. With no separate control group described, the findings cannot establish how much either mindfulness or cold water contributed to the changes.
The abstract does not describe a separate control group or provide questionnaire names. Executive functioning was assessed through participants' perceptions, which does not establish improvement on objective cognitive tests.
What participants reported
Participants completed questionnaires about mood symptoms and their perceived executive functioning before and after training. The analysis considered country, occupation and physical activity as potential factors affecting the comparison.
Age patterns and uncertainty
The abstract reports a larger depression change among older participants than middle-aged participants, but no significant age-group difference for anxiety. The nonsignificant executive functioning result leaves uncertainty; it does not establish an absence of change.
The original publication
Mindfulness training combined with cold water immersion effects on mood and perception of executive functioning in middle-aged and older adults: a pilot study.
Gentile A, Vivirito S, Kirkar M et al.
Front Public Health · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41283028
- Record checked
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