Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children: Results of a Pilot Study
Jennifer Lee, Randye J Semple, Dinelia Rosa, Lisa Miller
Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy March 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1891/0889.8391.22.1.15 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Open trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | Nonreferred children aged 9 to 12 |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) |
| Duration | 12-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBCT-C was associated with reductions in internalizing and externalizing symptoms per parent reports, with high attendance and retention supporting feasibility and acceptability. |
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and helpfulness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) for the treatment of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in a sample of nonreferred children. Twenty-five children, ages 9 to 12, participated in the 12-week intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline and posttreatment. Open trial analyses found preliminary support for MBCT-C as helpful in reducing internalizing and externalizing symptoms within subjects on the parent report measure. The high attendance rate (Intent-to-Treat sample, 78%; Completer sample, 94%), high retention rate (68%), and positive ratings on program evaluations supported treatment feasibility and acceptability. Overall, this pilot study offers feasibility and acceptability data for MBCT-C as a potential treatment for internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children. Further research is needed to test the efficacy of the intervention with a larger sample of children who meet diagnostic criteria for clinical disorders.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 33
- Prospects for a clinical science of mindfulness-based intervention. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Sitting-meditation interventions among youth: a review of treatment efficacy. Pediatrics August 24, 2009
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Urban Youth The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine February 25, 2011
- The Role of Mindfulness in Reducing the Adverse Effects of Childhood Stress and Trauma Children February 28, 2017
- Improving self-regulation in adolescents: current evidence for the role of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Adolescent Health Medicine and Therapeutics September 1, 2016
and 28 more in the library
Cites 7
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2004
- Meditation as an intervention in stress reactivity. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1976
- Treating Anxiety With Mindfulness: An Open Trial of Mindfulness Training for Anxious Children Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy October 1, 2005
and 2 more in the library