Mindfulness-based group intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes: initial findings from a pilot and feasibility randomized controlled trial.
Molly Basch, Francesca Lupini, Sally Ho, Mesgana Dagnachew, Ana M Gutierrez-Colina, Katherine Patterson Kelly, Lauren B Shomaker, Randi Streisand, Jack Vagadori, Eleanor R Mackey
Journal of pediatric psychology October 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsae071 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot/feasibility trial Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | Adolescents aged 12–17 with type 1 diabetes for at least 1 year and elevated scores on PROMIS depression or anxiety measures |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based intervention Health education |
| Duration | 6-7 weeks intervention, 3-month follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Adolescents Diabetes Pilot/feasibility trial Psychosocial intervention |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | Both the virtual mindfulness-based intervention and health education groups were feasible and acceptable, with trends toward greater reductions in depression and HbA1c in the mindfulness group. |
Abstract
To evaluate feasibility/acceptability of a virtual, group mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) adapted for pediatric type 1 diabetes (T1D). This two-way controlled trial randomized adolescents 1:1 to MBI (n = 20) or health education (HE; n = 22) groups lasting 6-7 weeks. Eligibility included 12-17 years, T1D ≥ 1 year, and elevated scores on PROMIS depression or anxiety measures. Recruitment, retention, and session attendance were tracked to measure feasibility. Acceptability was measured via youth-reported post-session surveys. Adolescents completed depression, anxiety, and diabetes-specific surveys at baseline, immediately post-program, and 3 months post-program completion. HbA1c values approximating these timeframes were obtained from chart review. 55% of screened participants were eligible to participate, and 100% of eligible youth enrolled. There was 93% study retention and 96% session attendance rates. Survey data were 100% complete at baseline, and 93% complete at post-program and 3-month follow-ups; 83% and 78% of MBI participants rated sessions as at least somewhat enjoyable and helpful, respectively, and 91% and 82% of HE participants rated sessions as at least somewhat enjoyable and helpful, respectively. Mean scores showed declines in depression, anxiety, disordered eating, diabetes distress, and HbA1c in both groups across time, with trends toward potential greater reductions in depression and HbA1c in MBI. This pilot provides preliminary evidence that virtual MBI and HE groups adapted for adolescents with T1D are feasible to deliver and acceptable, with potential improvement in psychosocial, behavioral, and diabetes-specific outcomes. Whether MBI is more effective for targeting negative affect and glycemic control in the context of adolescent T1D requires testing in a full-scale efficacy trial.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Pilot, feasibility, and acceptability evaluation of a mindfulness-based intervention with diabetes education in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Complementary Therapies in Medicine October 14, 2026
- Exploring the Feasibility and Acceptability of Compassion and Mindfulness Training for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes and Their Caregivers. Acta Paediatrica September 28, 2026
- "I've Always Wanted to Find That Peace That Everyone Talks About with Mindfulness": The Development of an Asynchronous Mindfulness-Training Mobile Health Application for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Comprehensive child and adolescent nursing May 6, 2026
- Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: A Case Series. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology June 1, 2025
Cites 7
- Research Review: The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents – a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry October 22, 2018
- Acceptability of a Self-Led Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Teens with Type 1 Diabetes: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial JMIR Formative Research October 9, 2023
- Mindfulness-based intervention for depression and insulin resistance in adolescents: Protocol for BREATHE, a multisite, pilot and feasibility randomized controlled trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials June 1, 2024
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Focus on Pediatric Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Current diabetes reports October 1, 2022
- The Impact of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Emotional Wellbeing and Glycemic Control of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Journal of Diabetes Research June 28, 2018
and 2 more in the library