Pilot, Feasibility, and Acceptability Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention with Diabetes Education in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes.
Most adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) do not reach targeted levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which increases risk for diabetes-related complications. Suboptimal diabetes management may be associated with the burden of coping with T1D for adolescents who are simultaneously adjusting to physical, cognitive, and socioemotional changes. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are associated with improved coping skills and could be useful for adolescents with T1D.
This was a pilot randomized controlled study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual MBI in adolescents aged 15-17 years with T1D. Enrollment took place in two iterations: 1) patients were approached in clinic by a physician; 2) letters were mailed and follow-up phone calls were made by research staff. Enrolled participants were given the option of 2 different weekly times for participation and were assigned to one of two study arms: diabetes education + MBI (DE+MBI) or DE only. For each arm, 12 virtual group sessions were held weekly. Feasibility measures included time-to-recruit, program enrollment, and study retention. Acceptability was assessed by attendance and survey completion. Exploratory outcomes included HbA1c and responses to quality of life and mental health questionnaires.
By design, the first 60 eligible participants who agreed to participate were enrolled. Sixty of 164 approached (37%) consented to enroll. Fifty percent of these (n=30; DE+MBI=15, DE=15) participated in at least one group session; the mean attendance was 7 + 3 sessions. All participants reported managing at least one area of life better post-intervention (coping with stress, sleep, physical symptoms, self-care, school, emotion regulation, getting along with others). Survey completion was 87% pre-intervention and 60% post-intervention. There was no change in mean HbA1c for either the DE+MBI or the DE arms.
More study is warranted to investigate ways to increase the feasibility for implementing complementary therapies such as MBI in a diabetes clinic for adolescents with T1D.
This was a pilot randomized controlled study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual MBI in adolescents aged 15-17 years with T1D. Enrollment took place in two iterations: 1) patients were approached in clinic by a physician; 2) letters were mailed and follow-up phone calls were made by research staff. Enrolled participants were given the option of 2 different weekly times for participation and were assigned to one of two study arms: diabetes education + MBI (DE+MBI) or DE only. For each arm, 12 virtual group sessions were held weekly. Feasibility measures included time-to-recruit, program enrollment, and study retention. Acceptability was assessed by attendance and survey completion. Exploratory outcomes included HbA1c and responses to quality of life and mental health questionnaires.
By design, the first 60 eligible participants who agreed to participate were enrolled. Sixty of 164 approached (37%) consented to enroll. Fifty percent of these (n=30; DE+MBI=15, DE=15) participated in at least one group session; the mean attendance was 7 + 3 sessions. All participants reported managing at least one area of life better post-intervention (coping with stress, sleep, physical symptoms, self-care, school, emotion regulation, getting along with others). Survey completion was 87% pre-intervention and 60% post-intervention. There was no change in mean HbA1c for either the DE+MBI or the DE arms.
More study is warranted to investigate ways to increase the feasibility for implementing complementary therapies such as MBI in a diabetes clinic for adolescents with T1D.
Authors
Ray Ray, Pike Pike, Machuca Machuca, Eckert Eckert, Broderick Broderick, Hannon Hannon
View on Pubmed