Live Video MBSR is a Feasible and Acceptable Adjunctive Therapy for Youth With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Srisindu Vellanki, Christina Holbein, Adoma Boateng, Naomi Pressman, Jacqueline Kirsch, Erica Sibinga, Maria Mascarenhas, Lindsey Albenberg
Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health 2025 DOI: 10.1177/27536130251393662 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Youth with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-session program, delivered from winter 2021 to spring 2022 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Crohn’s disease Inflammatory bowel disease Mind body Pediatrics Stress Ulcerative colitis Virtual |
| Key points | A live-video MBSR program for youth with IBD was feasible and acceptable, with high attendance and satisfaction, and showed potential benefits in quality of life and stress reduction. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been shown to be beneficial for adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but little is known about its use in pediatric IBD. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an MBSR program delivered by live-video during the COVID-19 pandemic for youth with IBD. Four cohorts of an 8-session MBSR program were conducted via a HIPAA-compliant, video-conferencing platform from winter 2021 to spring 2022. Mixed-methods data were collected through semi-structured focus groups, study-specific surveys, attendance data, and self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures. Forty-six participants enrolled across 4 cohorts. Participants were 64% female, Mage=14.1 years, 36% non-Latinx White; most had Crohn's disease (81%). Participants attended an average of 7.6 of 8 classes, with 69% attending all 8 classes. Majority of participants (77%) were satisfied or very satisfied with the program. Three themes emerged from the focus groups (n=27): (1) IBD-specific benefits: reduced stress (which some identified as an IBD trigger) and connecting with IBD peers; (2) mental health benefits; and (3) virtual MBSR was feasible and well-liked, but challenges were present. Pre- vs post-program data (n = 30) showed statistically significant improvements in HRQOL (P = 0.04), HRQOL social functioning (P = 0.03), and perceived stress (P < 0.01). This pilot study of live-video MBSR for youth with IBD shows feasibility and acceptability, high rates of attendance and satisfaction, and potential benefits in quality of life and stress. MBSR is a potential adjunctive therapy in pediatric IBD.
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
Cites 8
- Psychological mechanisms driving stress resilience in mindfulness training: A randomized controlled trial. Health Psychology May 23, 2019
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction program improves psychological well-being and blood pressure in an Italian context: potential mechanisms and benefits. Psychology, Health & Medicine September 23, 2025
- How mindfulness-based training improves stress-related health: a selective review of randomized clinical trials comparing psychological mechanisms of action. Frontiers in Endocrinology August 4, 2025
- Mindfulness instruction for medication adherence among adolescents and young adults living with HIV: a randomized controlled trial. AIDS Care December 2022
- Effects of two mindfulness based interventions on the distinct phases of the stress response across different physiological systems. Biological Psychology July 2022
and 3 more in the library