Delivering a Modified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Intervention for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Adolescents and Young Adults: Assessing Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness.
Jacqueline Doyle, Mark Shevlin, Megan Hitchcock, Danielle Lambert, Rohit Rao, Charles Murray, Sara Mccartney, Fevronia Kiparissi, Deborah Christie
Clinical child psychology and psychiatry July 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/13591045251406668 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA randomized controlled trial assessed a modified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for 58 outpatients aged 15 to 24 with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Participants were assigned to eight weekly MBSR sessions or a waiting list. No statistically significant changes were found, but clinical improvements appeared: disease severity (HBI) dropped by 2.96 points (d = .38), quality of life (IMPACT-III) rose by 12.17 points (d = .37), and mindful awareness (MAAS) increased by 0.70 points. Participants enjoyed meeting peers and reported better quality of life and body connection. However, one third (17/49) attended no groups, and recruitment and attrition limited power. The authors caution against mainstream adoption without addressing barriers.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 58 |
| Population | Outpatients aged 15 to 24 with a diagnosis of IBD attending a large teaching hospital tertiary clinic |
| Intervention | Modified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme |
| Duration | 8 weekly sessions; outcomes collected 2 to 4 weeks post-intervention (T1) and 2 to 4 weeks after controls completed (T2) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Ibd Rct Adolescents Clinical psychology |
| Key finding | MBSR produced no statistically significant changes but showed clinical improvements in disease severity, quality of life, and mindful awareness, though limited uptake and attrition warrant caution. |
Abstract
ObjectivesThe study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of delivering a modified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme in reducing symptoms and psychological stress associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).Methods58 outpatients aged 15 to 24 with a diagnosis of IBD attending a large teaching hospital tertiary clinic were randomised to 8 weekly sessions of a modified MBSR programme or waiting list control. Well-being and disease severity were assessed at baseline (T0). Outcomes were collected 2 to 4 weeks following completion of the intervention (T1) and 2 to 4 weeks (T2) after controls completed the intervention. A process evaluation explored reasons for participation and perceived impact of MBSR.ResultsThere were no statically significant changes however there was a clinical improvement in disease severity and quality of life (2.96 points reduction (standardised difference (d = .38)) on the HBI, 12.17 points higher on the IMPACT-III (d = .37) and an increase in mindful awareness (0.70 points higher on the MAAS).Young people enjoyed meeting other young people with IBD and reported improvement in quality of life and feeling more connected to their body. One third (17/49) chose not to attend any groups. Difficulties in recruitment and attrition impacted on power to detect long term changes.ConclusionsYoung people that participated found the group acceptable and reported a positive impact on symptoms however limited uptake argues for caution when considering MBSR as a mainstream intervention in busy tertiary services for adolescents with IBD without mitigation of identified barriers.