Brief Report: Mindfulness Training for Chinese Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents in Hong Kong.
Ryan Yuk Fai Ho, Dexing Zhang, Stanley Kam Chung Chan, Tiffany Ting Gao, Eric Kam-Pui Lee, Herman Hay Ming Lo, Peter Au Yeung, Kelly Yee Ching Lai, Susan M. Bögels, Esther I. de Bruin, Samuel Yeung Shan Wong
Journal of autism and developmental disorders November 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04729-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Chinese adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their parents in Hong Kong, China |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Parenting Parents Adolescent China Hong kong Autism spectrum disorder Feasibility Effectiveness Mymind |
| Key findings | The MYmind concurrent mindfulness program was feasible in this Hong Kong sample, with 80% compliance, 0% dropout, and 89% response rate. Compared with a waitlist control, it showed trend effects on parental rumination (g = 1.16), mindful parenting (d = 0.6), parenting style (d = 0.59), and parenting stress (d = 0.5). The authors suggest a larger trial with longer follow-up. |
Abstract
This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a concurrent mindfulness program (MYmind) on Chinese adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their parents in Hong Kong, China using a randomized controlled trial with a waitlist control group. Results showed the study had 80% compliance rate, 0% dropout rate, and 89% response rate. Between-group comparisons showed mindfulness had trend effects on parent's rumination (g = 1.16), mindful parenting (d = 0.6), parenting style (d = 0.59), and parenting stress (d = 0.5). The study demonstrated the feasibility of the MYmind program in the Chinese context. A larger trial with longer follow-up period is suggested to better examine the effect of mindfulness on adolescents with ASD and their parents.
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 8
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review. Brain Sciences September 30, 2024
- The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on mental health outcomes and wellbeing of informal caregivers of people with mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing August 1, 2024
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for children with autism and their parents: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
- Pilot randomized controlled trial of MINDful TIME, a novel telehealth mindfulness-based intervention for autistic adolescents and their caregivers. Autism July 1, 2025
- Using a Virtual Reality CAVE-Based Mindfulness Intervention to Promote Mental Well-Being in Adolescents With Anxiety Symptoms: Pre-Post Mixed Methods Pilot Study. JMIR Formative Research June 12, 2026
and 3 more in the library
Cites 9
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- A Model of Mindful Parenting: Implications for Parent–Child Relationships and Prevention Research Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review May 2, 2009
- Mindfulness-Based Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents: Direct and Long-Term Improvements Mindfulness October 5, 2017
- Meditation promotes insightful problem-solving by keeping people in a mindful and alert conscious state Science China Life Sciences October 1, 2011
- Reduced interference in working memory following mindfulness training is associated with increases in hippocampal volume Brain Imaging and Behavior March 17, 2018
and 4 more in the library