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Development of a mindfulness-based intervention for narcolepsy: a feasibility study.

Jennifer M Mundt, Phyllis C Zee, Matthew D Schuiling, Alec J Hakenjos, David Victorson, Rina S Fox, Spencer C Dawson, Ann E Rogers, Jason C Ong

Sleep October 11, 2024 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsae137 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 60
Population Adults with narcolepsy
Intervention Mindfulness-based intervention
Duration 12-week intervention with assessments at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks
Topics Anxiety Depression Meditation
Keywords Narcolepsy Mind-body therapies Psychosocial functioning
Citations 3
Registration NCT04306952
Key findings A remote mindfulness-based intervention adapted for narcolepsy is feasible and acceptable, with the extended 12-week program providing the most favorable clinical impact across multiple outcomes including anxiety, depression, and psychosocial functioning.

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) have been shown to improve psychosocial functioning in medical populations but have not been studied in narcolepsy. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of an MBI that was adapted for narcolepsy, including three variations in program length. Adults with narcolepsy (N = 60) were randomized to MBI groups of varying durations: brief (4 weeks), standard (8 weeks), or extended (12 weeks). Participants completed assessments at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. To assess feasibility and acceptability, primary outcomes included attendance, meditation practice, and data completeness. Additionally, participants completed measures of mindfulness, self-compassion, mood, sleep, psychosocial functioning, and cognition. An effect size of Cohen's d ≥ 0.5 was used as the prespecified benchmark for a minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The attendance, meditation, and data completeness benchmarks were met by 71.7%, 61.7%, and 78.3% of participants, respectively. Higher proportions of the brief and extended groups met these benchmarks compared to the standard group. All groups met the MCID for mindfulness, self-compassion, self-efficacy for managing emotions, positive psychosocial impact, global mental health, and fatigue. Standard and extended groups met the MCID for anxiety and depression, and extended groups met the MCID for additional measures including social and cognitive functioning, daytime sleepiness, hypersomnia symptoms, and hypersomnia-related functioning. Results suggest that the remote delivery and data collection methods are feasible to employ in future clinical trials, and it appears that the extended MBI provides the most favorable clinical impact while maintaining attendance and engagement in meditation practice. Awareness and Self-Compassion Enhancing Narcolepsy Treatment (ASCENT), NCT04306952, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04306952.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment 2003 Randomized controlled trial n = 41
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults 2008 Randomized controlled trial n = 139
Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students 2007 Randomized controlled trial n = 40
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2004 Randomized controlled trial n = 73

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Anxiety Depression Meditation