Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Adolescents with Functional Somatic Syndromes: A Pilot Cohort Study.
Study Goal
To assess the feasibility and preliminary clinical utility of an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for adolescents with chronic pain and functional somatic symptoms.
Results Summary
The MBSR program showed significant improvements in functional disability, symptom impact, and anxiety, with 83% completion rate and no adverse events. Home practice time correlated with better outcomes, and qualitative feedback highlighted benefits like social support and improved daily functioning.
Population
Adolescents with widespread chronic pain and functional somatic symptoms.
Effective Dosage
8-week MBSR program (specific session frequency not detailed).
Duration
8 weeks (with follow-up at 12 weeks).
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) | adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms | 33% improvement | significant changes were found | #1 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | Fibromyalgia/Symptom Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQR/SIQR) | adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms | 26% improvement | significant changes were found | #2 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | Multidimensional Anxiety Scale (MASC2) child report | adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms | 12% improvement | significant changes were found | #3 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | Multidimensional Anxiety Scale (MASC2) parent report | adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms | 17% improvement | significant changes were found | #4 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | MASC2 scores (child and parent) | adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms | - | were significantly improved | #5 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | Perceived Stress Scale scores | adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms | - | were significantly improved | #6 |
more time spent doing home practice | decrease | Functional Disability Inventory (FDI) | adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms | 44% improvement | was associated with better outcomes | #7 |
more time spent doing home practice | decrease | Fibromyalgia/Symptom Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQR/SIQR) | adolescents with widespread chronic pain and other functional somatic symptoms | 26% improvement | was associated with better outcomes | #8 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | increase | social support | subjects and parents | - | reported social support as a benefit | #9 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | increase | activities of daily living | subjects and parents | - | positive impact | #10 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | pain | subjects and parents | - | positive impact | #11 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | anxiety | subjects and parents | - | positive impact | #12 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | functional disability | adolescents with functional somatic syndromes | - | improving | #13 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | symptom impact | adolescents with functional somatic syndromes | - | improving | #14 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program | decrease | anxiety | adolescents with functional somatic syndromes | - | improving | #15 |
OBJECTIVE: 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. STUDY DESIGN: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02190474.