Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Focus on Pediatric Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.
Hailey Inverso, Hailey R Moore, Francesca Lupini, Christine H Wang, Randi Streisand, Lauren B Shomaker, Eleanor R Mackey
Current diabetes reports October 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-022-01492-x (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThis review examines mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for youth with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. MBIs, which include body scan, meditation, and breathing techniques, aim to reduce stress and negative affect. The review finds that MBIs reduce symptoms of depression and diabetes distress in this population. However, improvements in health outcomes such as A1c have been inconsistent across studies. The authors conclude that research on MBIs for youth with diabetes is promising but still in early stages, and they call for further investigation with tailored interventions for these heterogeneous groups.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Youth with type 1 or type 2 diabetes |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Diabetes Glycemic outcomes Interventions Pediatric |
| Key finding | MBIs reduce symptoms of depression and diabetes distress in youth with T1D/T2D, but improvements in health outcomes such as A1c have been inconsistent. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) focus on promoting nonjudgmental, purposeful awareness of the present experience, and they include specific components such as body scan, meditation, and breathing techniques for healthier coping with stress and reduced negative affect. In adult populations with chronic illness (e.g., type 1 diabetes [T1D], type 2 diabetes [T2D], overweight), MBIs have been shown to improve psychosocial outcomes with some improvements in health outcomes as well. Youth with T1D/T2D frequently experience heightened depression as well as diabetes distress, which are associated with less frequent blood glucose monitoring, insulin administration, and nutrition oversight. Thus, MBIs have potential to alleviate psychosocial distress in youth with T1D/T2D and also improve health outcomes. This paper is a review of the literature on potential psychosocial and health benefits of MBIs for youth with T1D/T2D. Among youth with T1D/T2D, MBIs have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and diabetes distress. Improvements in health outcomes, such as A1c, have been inconsistent across studies. Although research on the efficacy of MBIs to improve psychosocial and health outcomes in youth with T1D/T2D is promising, this area of study is in its early stages. Future investigation of MBIs in youth with T1D and T2D is warranted, recognizing that these are heterogeneous groups with potential benefit of specifically tailored interventions.