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Acceptability of a Self-Led Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Teens with Type 1 Diabetes: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Tori Humiston, Caroline Cummings, Stephen J. Suss, Laura B Cohen, Holly Hazlett-Stevens, Amy Hughes Lansing

JMIR Formative Research October 9, 2023 DOI: 10.2196/45659 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized pilot feasibility and acceptability study Peer reviewed
Sample size 25
Population Adolescents aged 14–18 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
Intervention Self-guided mindfulness-based stress reduction workbook program (e-book or paper option)
Duration 10-week intervention with follow-up at 10 and 20 weeks
Topics Meditation
Citations 8
Registration NCT05115175
Key points Participants did not find the original 10-week self-guided mindfulness workbook program feasible or acceptable. Reported barriers included forgetting to complete weekly material and the material not being sufficiently related to diabetes management. Adolescents indicated that a shorter, digital mindfulness-based intervention focused on diabetes-specific behaviors may be more helpful.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes distress among adolescents with type 1 diabetes has been associated with suboptimal diabetes outcomes, including lower quality of life, increased diabetes self-management challenges, and suboptimal glycemic outcomes.

Objective: This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a scalable self-led mindfulness-based intervention to reduce diabetes distress in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: Adolescents (N=25) aged between 14 and 18 years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes completed a baseline assessment. Participants were randomized to receive a 10-week self-guided mindfulness-based stress reduction workbook program (e-book or paper option) immediately (n=15) or after a 10-week wait (n=10). During the intervention period, participants completed weekly assignments and feedback surveys. At 10 weeks and 20 weeks, follow-up assessments were completed.

Results: Findings indicated that participants did not find the original intervention feasible or acceptable. Adolescents reported barriers to completing the weekly material, such as that they forgot or that the material was not sufficiently related to their diabetes management. Adolescents also reported that a digital format rather than a workbook or e-book may be more acceptable. Results from weekly surveys provided the foundation for recommendations for future iterations of the mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Conclusions: Participant feedback informed recommendations for self-led mindfulness programs for youth with type 1 diabetes. Adolescents indicated that a shorter, digital mindfulness-based intervention focused on diabetes-specific behaviors may be more helpful.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05115175; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05115175.

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

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