Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Adolescents with Functional Somatic Syndromes: A Pilot Cohort Study.
Ather Ali, Theresa R Weiss, Anne Dutton, Douglas McKee, Kim D Jones, Susmita Kashikar-Zuck, Wendy K Silverman, Eugene D Shapiro
The Journal of Pediatrics April 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.12.053 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Feasibility study, pre-post cohort Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 8-week program with follow-up at 8 and 12 weeks |
| Measures | Functional Disability Inventory (FDI), Fibromyalgia/Symptom Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQR/SIQR), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Multidimensional Anxiety Scale (MASC2), Perceived Stress Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Chronic pain Fibromyalgia Irritable bowel syndrome Quality of life |
| Registration | NCT02190474 |
| Key findings | MBSR was feasible and acceptable in adolescents with functional somatic syndromes: 83% completed the 8-week program with no adverse events, and participants showed improvements in functional disability (33%), symptom impact (26%), and anxiety (12-17%) at 8 weeks, with anxiety and perceived stress improved at 12 weeks. More home practice was associated with better functional disability and symptom impact outcomes. |
Abstract
To assess the feasibility of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms and to make preliminary assessments of its clinical utility. Three cohorts of subjects completed an 8-week MBSR program. Child- and parent-completed measures were collected at baseline and 8 and 12 weeks later. Measures included the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI), the Fibromyalgia/Symptom Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQR/SIQR), the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale (MASC2), and the Perceived Stress Scale. Subjects and parents were interviewed following the program to assess feasibility. Fifteen of 18 subjects (83%) completed the 8-week program. No adverse events occurred. Compared with baseline scores, significant changes were found in mean scores on the FDI (33% improvement, P = .026), FIQR/SIQR (26% improvement, P = .03), and MASC2 (child: 12% improvement, P = .02; parent report: 17% improvement, P = .03) at 8 weeks. MASC2 scores (child and parent) and Perceived Stress Scale scores were significantly improved at 12 weeks. More time spent doing home practice was associated with better outcomes in the FDI and FIQR/SIQR (44% and 26% improvement, respectively). Qualitative interviews indicated that subjects and parents reported social support as a benefit of the MBSR class, as well as a positive impact of MBSR on activities of daily living, and on pain and anxiety. MBSR is a feasible and acceptable intervention in adolescents with functional somatic syndromes and has preliminary evidence for improving functional disability, symptom impact, and anxiety, with consistency between parent and child measures. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02190474.
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 15
- Mindful awareness and resilience skills for adolescents (MARS-A): a mixed-methods study of a mindfulness-based intervention for a heterogeneous adolescent clinical population. International journal of adolescent medicine and health February 1, 2024
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Examining the Effect of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction on Pain Severity and Quality of Life in People Living With Fibromyalgia. European Journal of Pain April 1, 2026
- Mindfulness Interventions for Adolescents With Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. European Journal of Pain May 1, 2026
- Methylphenidate or Family Mindfulness? Effects on Internalizing, Externalizing and Social Problems in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children May 26, 2025
- Living With Physical Health Conditions: A Systematic Review of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Children, Adolescents, and Their Parents. Journal of pediatric psychology April 1, 2023
and 10 more in the library
Cites 10
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). Psychological Assessment April 11, 2011
- School-Based Mindfulness Instruction: An RCT Pediatrics December 19, 2015
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Urban Youth The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine February 25, 2011
- Alterations in Resting-State Functional Connectivity Link Mindfulness Meditation With Reduced Interleukin-6: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Biological Psychiatry July 1, 2016
and 5 more in the library