Co-designed yoga nidra targeting anxiety in autistic children: A mixed methods feasibility study.
Tundi Loftus, Shu H. Yau, Sophia Soares, Jean Byrne, Danielle C Mathersul
Research in Developmental Disabilities September 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2026.105367 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed methods feasibility and pilot efficacy study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 13 |
| Population | Autistic children aged 8-14 years, including one minimally speaking child |
| Intervention | Yoga nidra |
| Duration | Six-week intervention |
| Measures | ASC-ASD, IUSC, EDI, heart rate variability (HRV) |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Autism Children Emotion regulation Intolerance of uncertainty Yoga |
| Key points | Yoga nidra was feasible for autistic children, with medium effect sizes for reduced anxiety (self-reported Hedge's g = 0.55; parent-reported Hedge's g = 0.45) though not statistically significant; three participants moved to non-significant anxiety levels. Intolerance of uncertainty and emotion dysregulation also showed small-to-medium reductions. Greater attendance was associated with self-reported anxiety reduction (r = .757). |
Abstract
Autistic children experience disproportionately high rates of anxiety, yet common interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy and traditional mindfulness practices may be less effective due to their cognitive and abstract demands. Yoga nidra, a form of guided meditation using concrete visualisations and breath awareness, may offer a more accessible alternative. This mixed methods study evaluated the feasibility and pilot efficacy of a co-designed six-week online yoga nidra intervention targeting anxiety in autistic children aged 8-14 years. Neurophysiological and psychological data were collected from 13 participants using parent- and self-reported measures of anxiety (ASC-ASD), intolerance of uncertainty (IUSC), and emotion dysregulation (EDI), alongside heart rate variability (HRV). Notably, the cohort included a minimally speaking child, which demonstrates the potential for the intervention to extend to autistic children with language support needs, a group who are often underrepresented in similar research. Results indicated no statistically significant changes in anxiety over time; however, medium effect sizes were observed in self- (Hedge's g = 0.55) and parent-reported anxiety (Hedge's g = 0.45), with three participants moving from clinically significant to non-significant anxiety levels post-intervention. Additionally, intolerance of uncertainty and emotion dysregulation demonstrated small to medium effect size reductions (IUSC, Hedge's g = 0.50; EDI-Reactivity, Hedge's g = 0.55; EDI-Dysphoria, Hedge's g = 0.25), suggesting potential benefits of yoga nidra in these areas. Greater attendance was significantly associated with self-reported reductions in anxiety (ASC-ASD-SR, r = .757, p < .05), but not the other outcome measures. Unexpectedly, HRV outcomes indicated reduced autonomic functioning post-intervention. Additionally, qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with three child participants and their mothers from the study were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, revealing five key themes of their experience: Thinking About the Body is Hard; We Want More; Homework Sucks; Making Mindfulness Concrete; and On-Screen and At Home is Convenient. While the online format was appreciated for its accessibility, challenges with adherence and scheduling highlighted the need for more flexible delivery models. This study advances upon prior research by being the first to develop a co-designed yoga nidra intervention specifically for autistic children. Findings support the feasibility of yoga nidra as a complementary intervention for autistic children and suggest directions for future research, including larger trials and further co-design with the autistic community.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Mindfulness-Based Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents: Direct and Long-Term Improvements Mindfulness October 5, 2017
- The Effects of Dose, Practice Habits, and Objects of Focus on Digital Meditation Effectiveness and Adherence: Longitudinal Study of 280,000 Digital Meditation Sessions Across 103 Countries. Journal of Medical Internet Research September 19, 2023
- The efficacy of mindfulness-based therapy for anxiety, social skills, and aggressive behaviors in children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A systematic review Frontiers in Psychiatry March 13, 2023
- The Origin and Clinical Relevance of Yoga Nidra. Sleep and Vigilance April 23, 2022
and 3 more in the library