Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Parents Implementing Early Intervention for Autism: An RCT
A. Weitlauf, Neill Broderick, J. A. Stainbrook, J. Taylor, Catherine G. Herrington, Amy G. Nicholson, Madeline Santulli, E. M. Dykens, A. Juárez, Z. Warren
Pediatrics April 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-1895k (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 61 |
| Population | Parents/caregivers of children under 36 months with autism spectrum disorder |
| Interventions | Parent-implemented Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM) Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | Active treatment plus 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Parents receiving MBSR plus P-ESDM showed greater reductions in parental distress (β = -1.91) and parent-child dysfunctional interactions (β = -1.38) than those receiving P-ESDM alone. Both groups improved in overall stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety during treatment, but MBSR did not significantly affect depressive symptoms, anxiety, or life satisfaction. |
Abstract
This study examined whether parents of children with ASD reported better functioning if they received stress-reduction training as part of early behavioral intervention.
Background: AND
Objectives: Systems of care emphasize parent-delivered intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Meanwhile, multiple studies document psychological distress within these parents. This pilot longitudinal randomized controlled trial compared the parent-implemented Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM) to P-ESDM plus mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for parents. We evaluated changes in parent functioning during active treatment and at follow-up.
Methods: Participants included children (<36 months old) with autism spectrum disorder and caregivers. Participants were randomly assigned to P-ESDM only (n = 31) or P-ESDM plus MBSR (n = 30). Data were collected at baseline, midtreatment, the end of treatment, and 1, 3, and 6 months posttreatment. Multilevel models with discontinuous slopes were used to test for group differences in outcome changes over time.
Results: Both groups improved during active treatment in all subdomains of parent stress (β = −1.42, −1.25, −0.92; P < 0.001), depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms (β = −0.62 and −0.78, respectively; P < 0.05). Parents who received MBSR had greater improvements than those receiving P-ESDM only in parental distress and parent-child dysfunctional interactions (β = −1.91 and −1.38, respectively; P < 0.01). Groups differed in change in mindfulness during treatment (β = 3.15; P < .05), with P-ESDM plus MBSR increasing and P-ESDM declining. Treatment group did not significantly predict change in depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, or life satisfaction. Differences emerged on the basis of parent sex, child age, and child behavior problems.
Conclusions: Results suggest that manualized, low-intensity stress-reduction strategies may have long-term impacts on parent stress. Limitations and future directions are described.