Feasibility of a mindfulness app in parents of a child with medical complexity: A pilot study.
Cara Gallegos, Ryoko Kausler, Natalie Cacchillo
Applied nursing research : ANR April 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2024.151767 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Mothers of a child with medical complexity |
| Intervention | Mindfulness app |
| Duration | 4-week intervention |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Feasibility Mindfulness app Parent |
| Key points | Using a mindfulness app reduces depressive symptoms and improves family functioning in mothers of children with medical complexity. |
Abstract
The prevalence of pediatric chronic conditions is increasing rapidly. Parents of a child with medical complexity (CMC) experience stress, depression which may also impact family functioning. Research has shown that mindfulness applications (apps) have significantly improved stress and depression in other populations, but have not been studied in this population. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a mindfulness app in parents of a CMC. Parents were recruited to participate from a non-profit organization and asked to use a mindfulness app for 4 weeks and fill out questionnaires before and after the intervention. Eight mothers participated in the study for the entire study period. Data analysis showed that using a mindfulness app in this population is feasible and reduces depressive symptoms and improves family functioning.
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 |