Mindfulness-based stress reduction for autistic adults: A feasibility study in an outpatient context

An open feasibility study of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) adapted for autistic adults without intellectual disability found that the intervention was acceptable and feasible. Of 50 participants recruited, 43 attended at least one session and 34 completed the intervention. Participants rated MBSR as logical, likely to lead to improvement, and recommendable to autistic peers. No serious adverse events were reported. Preliminary effectiveness measures indicated reduced symptoms of stress and improved stress-coping skills from pre- to post-intervention, as well as reductions in anxiety and depression. No changes were observed in mindful attention awareness, life satisfaction, or acceptance of the autism diagnosis. The authors suggest further investigation in randomized clinical trials is warranted.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Autistic adults report high stress and impaired ability to cope with stressors. Mindfulness-based stress reduction targets individual’s own resources to regulate stress responses. An open feasibility study was conducted in an outpatient context, recruiting autistic adults without intellectual disability. The intervention, guided by trained mindfulness-based stress reduction teachers, followed the contents of the standard manual while adapting the delivery to autistic adults’ needs. The total sample comprised of N = 50 participants; N = 43 (86%) attended at least one session, and N = 34 of these (79%) completed the intervention. Participants found mindfulness-based stress reduction logical, likely to lead to improvement and recommendable to autistic peers. No serious adverse events were reported. Measures of preliminary effectiveness indicated reduced symptoms of stress (p < 0.001; d = 0.51) and improved stress-coping skills (p = 0.017; d = 0.43) from pre- to post-intervention, as well as a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression. No changes were observed in mindful attention awareness, life satisfaction, or acceptance of the autism diagnosis. The data suggest that mindfulness-based stress reduction is a feasible and acceptable intervention for autistic adults in an outpatient setting. Further investigation in randomized clinical trials is warranted (Clinical Trials, clinicaltrials.gov, registration no. NCT05244265). Lay abstract Autistic adults report high stress levels and difficulties dealing with everyday stressors. Mindfulness-based stress reduction groups aim to help regulate stress responses. We asked 50 autistic adults, without intellectual disability, to participate in a study of mindfulness-based stress reduction. The group program was made accessible through clear group leader communication and good program predictability, as well as reduced exposure to disturbing sensory stimuli. The mindfulness and yoga based exercises from the original mindfulness-based stress reduction program were included. The participants were positive and would even recommend an autistic friend to participate in a mindfulness-based stress reduction group. They reported that mindfulness-based stress reduction could lower symptoms of stress and improved stress coping. We still need to investigate these effects further in larger studies. The findings of this work show that mindfulness-based stress reduction groups can be adapted for autistic adults and that the participants overall were positive to the intervention and the group format.