Mindfulness-based interventions for adolescent health.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review recent research on the effects of mindfulness-based interventions and suggest exercises for primary care clinicians to offer adolescent patients.
Results Summary
Mindfulness-based interventions showed positive effects across multiple health conditions in adolescents, including reducing anxiety and depression symptoms, aiding in eating disorder prevention and treatment, improving emotion regulation in substance use disorders, enhancing quality of life for chronic pain patients, and benefiting those with ADHD, sleep problems, chronic illness, and performance sports-related stress.
Population
Adolescents with physical and mental health problems.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based interventions | increase | outcomes in several areas | adolescents | - | can improve outcomes | #1 |
mindfulness-based interventions | decrease | symptoms of anxiety and depression | adolescents | - | can reduce symptoms | #2 |
mindfulness | decrease | binge eating, over-eating, and restrictive eating disorders | adolescents | - | can help with the prevention and treatment | #3 |
mindfulness | increase | emotion regulation and symptoms of withdrawal and craving | patients with substance use disorders | - | can improve emotion regulation and reduce symptoms | #4 |
mindfulness | increase | overall quality of life | patients suffering from chronic pain | - | can lead to improvement | #5 |
mindfulness | increase | ADHD, sleep problems, chronic illness, and stress related to performance sports | adolescents | - | can be useful | #6 |
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mindfulness, the practice of paying attention to the present moment, purposefully and nonjudgmentally, has been gaining popularity as adjunct treatment for adolescents with a range of physical and mental health problems. Research conducted in adults and emerging research conducted in adolescents has shown that mindfulness-based interventions can improve outcomes in several areas. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent research on the effects of mindfulness and suggest exercises that primary care clinicians can offer to their adolescent patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Research has shown positive effects of mindfulness across several health conditions commonly encountered during adolescence. Mindfulness-based Interventions can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. The application of mindfulness can help with the prevention and treatment of binge eating, over-eating, and restrictive eating disorders. In the treatment of substance use disorders, mindfulness can improve emotion regulation and reduce symptoms of withdrawal and craving. Mindfulness can also lead to improvement in overall quality of life for patients suffering from chronic pain. Lastly, mindfulness can be useful for adolescents with ADHD, sleep problems, chronic illness, and stress related to performance sports. SUMMARY: Although research in adolescents remains limited, mindfulness holds promise in the treatment of a range of health conditions in adolescents.