Efficacy and Implementation of Stress-Reduction Interventions for Underserved Families of Autistic Preschoolers Across In-Person and Virtual Modalities.
Mindfulness December 1, 2024 Rachel M Fenning, Cameron L Neece, Catherine M Sanner et al.
A randomized controlled trial tested Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) against psychoeducational support (PE) for reducing stress in diverse, underserved parents of autistic preschoolers. Both interventions showed strong feasibility, acceptability, and utility. Efficacy was comparable across in-person and virtual modalities, but attendance was significantly better for virtual groups. Parents in virtual MBSR reported less difficulty completing homework and using skills in daily life than those in in-person MBSR. The findings suggest that telehealth can expand access to stress-reduction interventions for this population.