Acceptability of Self-Led Mindfulness-Based Intervention
Condition: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study had two primary aims. First, the investigators examined the associations between
      mindfulness and diabetes-related outcomes. It was hypothesized that at baseline, increased
      mindfulness would be associated with decreased diabetes distress and more optimal glycemic
      levels and that all three variables would share similar associations with related constructs
      including greater self-compassion, lower general stress, better psychosocial health,
      increased diabetes treatment engagement, and greater diabetes-related quality of life. The
      association between specific aspects of dispositional mindfulness and diabetes distress was
      also explored. Second, the investigators examined the acceptability, feasibility, and
      potential utility of self-led MBSR intervention. It was hypothesized that participation in a
      self-led MBSR intervention would be feasible and acceptable, evidenced by treatment attrition
      and participant feedback. It was also hypothesized that participants who received the
      self-led Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention would experience increased
      mindfulness and decreased diabetes distress compared to a waitlist control group.
    

Detailed description: 
      The goal of the present study was to assess the associations of dispositional mindfulness,
      diabetes distress, and glycemic outcomes for adolescents with type 1 diabetes as well as to
      use an iterative approach to developing a self-led scalable mindfulness-based intervention. A
      self-led mindfulness-based intervention may provide a mindfulness practice to help
      adolescents with type 1 diabetes improve glycemic outcomes through diabetes distress
      reduction while also being practical within a pediatric endocrinology clinic. A self-led
      intervention may also reduce the burden associated with mindfulness-based interventions. This
      is important considering the heightened emotional and time burden adolescents may already
      experience due to disease management and the intensity of a traditional mindfulness-based
      intervention.

      This study had two primary aims. First, the investigators examined the associations between
      mindfulness and diabetes-related outcomes. It was hypothesized that at baseline, increased
      mindfulness would be associated with decreased diabetes distress and more optimal glycemic
      levels and that all three variables would share similar associations with related constructs
      including greater self-compassion, lower general stress, better psychosocial health,
      increased diabetes treatment engagement, and greater diabetes-related quality of life. The
      association between specific aspects of dispositional mindfulness and diabetes distress was
      also explored. Second, the investigators examined the acceptability, feasibility, and
      potential utility of self-led MBSR intervention. It was hypothesized that participation in a
      self-led MBSR intervention would be feasible and acceptable, evidenced by treatment attrition
      and participant feedback. It was also hypothesized that participants who received the
      self-led MBSR intervention would experience increased mindfulness and decreased diabetes
      distress compared to a waitlist control group.
    

Intervention name(s): Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Participants engaged in meditation and self-led exercises to help them understand and cope with stress.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Adolescents (N=25) aged 14 to 18 diagnosed with type 1 diabetes completed a baseline assessment. Participants were randomized to receive a 10-week self-guided mindfulness-based stress reduction program immediately (n=10) or after a 10-week wait (n=15). During the intervention period, participants completed weekly assignments and qualitative and quantitative feedback surveys. At 10-weeks and 20-weeks follow-up assessments were completed.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: diabetes distress; adolescents; mindfulness; psychosocial intervention