Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for Pediatric Mental Health (MBSR)

University of Alberta

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Mental Health Wellness 1

Treatments: Other: Mindfulness-based stress reduction program; Other: Usual care

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01307943

MBSR1

Details and patient eligibility

About

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a group program in which participants are taught to be mindful or present-focused. MBSR programs consist of instruction in a variety of mindfulness meditations including body scan, sitting meditation, mindful yoga, and discussion of these practices. Our study purpose is to develop and conduct a pilot mixed-methods randomized controlled trial (RCT), combining clinical outcomes, qualitative interviews, and brain imaging to assess the impact of the intervention on children with mental health challenges.

Full description

This study will be a 2 arm controlled clinical trial (CCT) comparing usual care to usual care plus MBSR. Participants will be residents of a local inpatient treatment facility for adolescents with serious mental health issues. Outcomes the investigators will measure include mental health status as well as mindfulness. The investigators will also conduct qualitative interviews to assess the personal impact of the intervention on the patients and their families. In order to map and measure cognitive changes during MBSR the investigators will conduct brain imaging using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and Event-Related Potential (ERP) recordings. Through this study the investigators will determine if MBSR is helpful to our population.

Enrollment: 85 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12 to 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• between the ages of 12 and 18
• residents of study site
• communication and comprehension of English
• not currently abusing substances

Exclusion criteria

• participants diagnosed with psychosis, as meditation has rarely been associated with precipitation of psychosis and/or psychotic episodes in individuals with pre-existing schizophrenia or significant thought disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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85 participants in 2 patient groups

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Experimental group

Description:

Eight MBSR sessions of 2 hrs/week to be held during regular class time plus one 3-hour retreat at the completion of the eight sessions to review and consolidate experience with the various mindfulness practices. The MBSR concepts and techniques will emphasize portability. Participants will be encouraged to find moments throughout their day in which to practice the techniques. The language used to describe mindfulness practices will be accessible to youth. Mindfulness concepts will be linked with tag phrases like "breathing break," "autopilot," and "choice points." Homework will emphasize experiential, concrete tasks ("notice five new things today"; "eat one meal mindfully this week").

Treatment:

Other: Mindfulness-based stress reduction program

Usual Care

Active Comparator group

Description:

The control group will be youth receiving therapies and programs already used at the site. The site provides family centered treatment where adolescents take part in therapy from Sunday evening until Friday afternoon. In addition to a structured day and evening schedule, standard treatment includes: Daily group therapy; ii) Medications; iii) Schooling by Edmonton Public School Board teachers; iv) Physical education and recreation; and v) Weekly Multiple Family Therapy.

Treatment:

Other: Usual care