A protocol for a multisite pilot and feasibility randomized controlled trial compares a six-week mindfulness-based intervention, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and health education groups for 120 adolescents ages 12-17 with elevated depression symptoms, body mass index at or above the 85th percentile, and a family history of diabetes. The trial, conducted across four U.S. sites, aims to assess intervention fidelity, recruitment feasibility, and acceptability. Primary outcomes include at least 80% adherence to intervention protocols and at least 80% enrollment of eligible youth. Findings will guide the design of a future multisite efficacy trial evaluating whether mindfulness can reduce depression and improve insulin resistance in adolescents at risk for type 2 diabetes.
A mindfulness-based intervention combined with community mentoring, compared to mentoring alone, reduced the negative effects of daily life stressors on momentary mindfulness and emotion regulation among adolescents exposed to chronic stressors. In a randomized trial with 81 adolescents (average age 13.75 years; 56% boys; 24% Hispanic/Latino, 57% White), those receiving the mindfulness intervention showed small but significant improvements in mindful attention, mindful nonjudgment, and emotion regulation difficulties at postintervention. The findings suggest mindfulness training may buffer adolescents from the harmful impacts of stress in daily life.
Adolescents who took part in a community-delivered mindfulness-based intervention reported generally high engagement, with cognitive-behavioral engagement significantly higher than affective engagement. Interviews with 25 participants revealed four themes that varied by engagement level, showing that adolescent engagement in mindfulness interventions shares some features with engagement in other interventions but also has distinctive characteristics. The authors suggest that opportunities exist before, during, and outside sessions to support engagement, which may help improve the mental-health benefits of mindfulness-based interventions for this age group.