Learning to Breathe with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Youth with Type 2 Diabetes or Prediabetes.
Julie M Pike, Jessica Yorgason, Luz A Machuca, Patricia C Broderick, Tamara S Hannon
Diabetes, Obesity, and Cardiometabolic CARE March 10, 2026 DOI: 10.2337/doc25-0047 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Uncontrolled pilot feasibility and acceptability study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Adolescents aged 15-17 years with obesity and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes |
| Duration | 12-week intervention; follow-up at 12 months post-intervention |
| Measures | PedsQL™ |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Obesity Type 2 diabetes Quality of life Adolescent Prediabetes Diabetes education Mindfulness-based intervention |
| Key points | A 12-week virtual group mindfulness-based intervention was feasible and acceptable in adolescents with obesity and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, with 90% retention and 67% mean attendance. Depression and anxiety scores remained within normal limits and unchanged, while quality of life improved immediately post-intervention (PedsQL 65 to 70). HbA1c and BMI were unchanged among the 16 participants with measures at all three time points. |
Abstract
Objective: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) support mental health. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week MBI in adolescents with obesity and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
Methods: This was an uncontrolled, pilot, feasibility and acceptability evaluation in youth aged 15-17 years with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. The Learning to BREATHE (L2B) curriculum was delivered via 12 virtual group sessions. Recruitment, retention, and attendance were tracked to measure feasibility. Acceptability was measured via post-intervention satisfaction surveys. Questionnaires were administered: pre- and post-intervention, and after 12 months for depression and anxiety symptoms and quality of life (PedsQL™).
Results: Sixty-eight of 73 (93%) screened participants were eligible. By design, we enrolled the first 30 eligible participants who agreed and consented to participate. Three (10%) withdrew prior to L2B participation. Twenty-seven completed L2B (90% retention, 18 female; 44% White, 41% Black, 1% Hispanic). The mean attendance was 8 of 12 sessions (67%). Survey completion was 100% pre-L2B, 93% post-L2B, and 81% 12 months post-L2B. Most participants agreed/strongly agreed that they felt supported (80%) and enjoyed the sessions (76%). Baseline depression and anxiety scores were within normal for the population and didn't change from pre- to post-intervention. Immediately following the intervention, the PedsQL™ score was higher (65 ± 20 to 70 ± 19). Sixteen participants had HbA1c and BMI measures corresponding to all three time points and these were unchanged.
Conclusion: A 12-week virtual group MBI was feasible and acceptable in adolescents with obesity and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
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 |