One-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial Piloting a Mindfulness-Based Group Intervention for Adolescent Insulin Resistance
Lauren B Shomaker, Bernadette Pivarunas, Shelly K. Annameier, Lauren D. Gulley, Jordan T. Quaglia, Kirk Warren Brown, Patricia C Broderick, Christopher Bell
Frontiers in Psychology May 8, 2019 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01040 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled pilot trial Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | 12- to 17-year-old girls with overweight/obesity, elevated depression symptoms, and a family history of type 2 diabetes |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) |
| Duration | Six-session intervention; 1-year follow-up |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognitive-behavioral therapy Insulin resistance Type 2 diabetes Adolescents |
| Registration | NCT02218138 |
| Key findings | At one year, adolescents randomized to a brief mindfulness-based intervention showed greater reductions in depression (Cohen's d = 0.68) and insulin resistance (d = 0.73) than those in a cognitive-behavioral therapy group. No significant between-group differences were found for mindfulness, adiposity, or BMI. The authors suggest brief MBI may reduce depression and insulin resistance in at-risk adolescents, but say replication in a larger trial is needed. |
Abstract
IntroductionTo explore if a brief mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) leads to sustained, improved clinical outcomes in adolescents at-risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsParticipants were 12–17y girls with overweight/obesity, elevated depression symptoms, and T2D family history participating in a randomized, controlled pilot trial of a six-session MBI vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) group. At baseline and 1-year, mindfulness, depression, insulin resistance (IR), and body composition were assessed with validated instruments.ResultsOne-year retention was 71% (n = 12) in MBI; 81% (n = 13) in CBT. At 1-year, depression decreased (Cohen’s d = 0.68) and IR decreased (d = 0.73) in adolescents randomized to MBI compared to those in CBT. There were no significant between-condition differences in mindfulness, adiposity, or BMI.DiscussionOne-year outcomes from this randomized, controlled pilot trial suggest that brief MBI may reduce depression and IR in at-risk adolescents. Replication and exploration of mechanisms within the context of a larger clinical trial are necessary.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02218138.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- How Effective Are Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Reducing Stress and Weight? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health December 27, 2022
- The role of meditation and mindfulness in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a scoping review. Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024
- Mindfulness-based intervention for depression and insulin resistance in adolescents: Protocol for BREATHE, a multisite, pilot and feasibility randomized controlled trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials June 1, 2024
- The Effects of Mindfulness Techniques on Anxiety, Depression, and Stress, with an Emphasis on Gratitude: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Healthcare February 27, 2026
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Focus on Pediatric Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Current diabetes reports October 1, 2022
Cites 2
- Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation Perspectives on Psychological Science October 10, 2017
- Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness based cognitive therapy in vascular disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Psychosomatic Research May 1, 2014