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Effectiveness of a school-based mindfulness program for transdiagnostic prevention in young adolescents.

Behaviour research and therapy
June 1, 2016
Catherine Johnson et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether a school-based mindfulness program could concurrently reduce anxiety, depression, and eating disorder risk factors in adolescents.

Results Summary

The study found no significant improvements in anxiety, depression, weight/shape concerns, or wellbeing post-intervention or at 3-month follow-up. Anxiety was higher in the mindfulness group at follow-up for males and those with low baseline levels of weight/shape concerns or depression.

Population

Adolescents (mean age 13.63) from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Effective Dosage

Eight lessons, once weekly ("Dot be" mindfulness curriculum).

Duration

8 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Dot be mindfulness in schools curriculum
no change
anxiety
Students (M age 13.63; SD = .43) from a broad band of socioeconomic demographics
no significant change
no significant improvements were found
#1
Dot be mindfulness in schools curriculum
no change
depression
Students (M age 13.63; SD = .43) from a broad band of socioeconomic demographics
no significant change
no significant improvements were found
#2
Dot be mindfulness in schools curriculum
no change
weight/shape concerns
Students (M age 13.63; SD = .43) from a broad band of socioeconomic demographics
no significant change
no significant improvements were found
#3
Dot be mindfulness in schools curriculum
no change
wellbeing
Students (M age 13.63; SD = .43) from a broad band of socioeconomic demographics
no significant change
no significant improvements were found
#4
Dot be mindfulness in schools curriculum
increase
anxiety
males
-
was higher
#5
Dot be mindfulness in schools curriculum
increase
anxiety
those of both genders with low baseline levels of weight/shape concerns
-
was higher
#6
Dot be mindfulness in schools curriculum
increase
anxiety
those of both genders with low baseline levels of depression
-
was higher
#7
Abstract

Anxiety, depression and eating disorders show peak emergence during adolescence and share common risk factors. School-based prevention programs provide a unique opportunity to access a broad spectrum of the population during a key developmental window, but to date, no program targets all three conditions concurrently. Mindfulness has shown promising early results across each of these psychopathologies in a small number of controlled trials in schools, and therefore this study investigated its use in a randomised controlled design targeting anxiety, depression and eating disorder risk factors together for the first time. Students (M age 13.63; SD = .43) from a broad band of socioeconomic demographics received the eight lesson, once weekly.b ("Dot be") mindfulness in schools curriculum (N = 132) or normal lessons (N = 176). Anxiety, depression, weight/shape concerns and wellbeing were the primary outcome factors. Although acceptability measures were high, no significant improvements were found on any outcome at post-intervention or 3-month follow-up. Adjusted mean differences between groups at post-intervention were .03 (95% CI: -.06 to -.11) for depression, .01 (-.07 to -.09) for anxiety, .02 (-.05 to -.08) for weight/shape concerns, and .06 (-.08 to -.21) for wellbeing. Anxiety was higher in the mindfulness than the control group at follow-up for males, and those of both genders with low baseline levels of weight/shape concerns or depression. Factors that may be important to address for effective dissemination of mindfulness-based interventions in schools are discussed. Further research is required to identify active ingredients and optimal dose in mindfulness-based interventions in school settings.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AdolescentAdolescent BehaviorAnxietyBody WeightDepressionFeeding and Eating DisordersFemaleHumansMaleMindfulnessSchool Health ServicesTreatment Outcome
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy30/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations68
Citations/Year7.6
Relative Citation Ratio4.15
NIH Percentile90.7%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.95
Normalized Score0.47
Related Supplements
Effectiveness of a school-based mindfulness program for tran... | Panacea Index