Mindfulness Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Age: < 65
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center
Disqualifiers: Non-verbal, IQ <70, physical disability, others
No Placebo Group
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?Adolescents with ASD often have co-occurring mental health symptoms like stress, anxiety, and depression. The investigators are conducting this research study to develop interventions for adolescents with ASD that will improve co-occurring mental health symptoms.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment MINDful TIME for Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Research suggests that mindfulness-based therapies can help reduce anxiety, improve social skills, and decrease aggressive behaviors in children and young people with autism. Additionally, mindfulness interventions have been shown to reduce stress in autistic adults and improve emotion regulation when a strong therapeutic relationship is formed.
12345Is mindfulness intervention safe for people with autism?
Research on mindfulness interventions for autism suggests they are generally safe, with studies showing high compliance and no reported dropouts or adverse effects. These interventions have been used in various contexts, including with adolescents and parents, without safety concerns.
12467How is the MINDful TIME treatment different from other treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder?
MINDful TIME is unique because it uses mindfulness-based techniques to help improve anxiety, social skills, and aggressive behaviors in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Unlike some other treatments, it focuses on enhancing mental well-being through mindfulness practices, which can be delivered in various settings like clinics, homes, and schools.
12348Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for English-speaking adolescents aged 13-18 with a formal ASD diagnosis and their caregivers. Participants must commit to attending at least 7 of the 8 group meetings.Inclusion Criteria
I am between 13 and 18 years old.
I (and my parent/caregiver if I'm an adolescent) can speak English.
My autism diagnosis has been confirmed by the study team.
+1 more
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
1 day
1 visit (in-person)
Treatment
8-week mindfulness-based group intervention for adolescents with ASD and their caregivers, including weekly 2-hour in-person meetings and daily home practice
8 weeks
8 visits (in-person)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in mental health symptoms and mindfulness at 2-month follow-up
8 weeks
1 visit (in-person)
Participant Groups
The study tests 'MINDful TIME,' an intervention aimed at improving mental health symptoms like stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: MINDful TIME groupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
8-week mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with ASD and their caregivers. Weekly meetings will be held in-person and will last approximately 2-hours. Adolescents and their caregivers will be asked to engage in home practice outside of group meetings
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Southwest Autism Research and Resource CenterPhoenix, AZ
Loading ...
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Southwest Autism Research & Resource CenterLead Sponsor
Arizona State UniversityCollaborator
References
Early Reflections on the Therapeutic Effects of Mindfulness-Based Therapies in Adults with Autism and Suggestions for Future Research. [2021]Emerging research suggests mindfulness-based therapies positively impact adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, questions concerning intervention active ingredients, the breadth and duration of impact, and psychological and neural mechanisms of change remain. Here we discuss what is known about mindfulness-based therapies in adults with ASD and offer suggestions for future research.
The efficacy of mindfulness-based therapy for anxiety, social skills, and aggressive behaviors in children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A systematic review. [2023]The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for improving anxiety, social skills, and aggressive behaviors in children and young people (CYP) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); summarize the results across clinic, home, and school contexts; and evaluate the quality of these interventions for clinical practice.
Virtual Group-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Autistic Adults: a Feasibility Study. [2022]Although mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to be helpful in reducing psychological distress in autistic adults, limited research has explored virtual delivery in the autism community. We designed an adapted virtual group-based mindfulness intervention, based on input from autistic adults, and evaluated its feasibility in terms of demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality, adaptation, and limited efficacy testing.
Therapeutic Riding or Mindfulness: Comparative Effectiveness of Two Recreational Therapy Interventions for Adolescents with Autism. [2023]Therapeutic riding (THR) and HeartMath (HM) mindfulness-based interventions have promise for reducing stress in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. In three 10-week periods, this study compared THR, HM, and control on salivary cortisol, self-reported stress, parent-reported social responsiveness, and heart-rate variability. This crossover design included 27 participants (12-21 years) randomly assigned to order of intervention. Findings suggest that HM and THR manualized protocols are equally beneficial in decreasing cortisol levels immediately following a session, but HM sessions had more impact on heart-rate variability. There was no significant effect on follow-up cortisol levels within a week after either intervention, but THR had more impact on decreasing some self-reported stressors.
Therapeutic Alliance Formation for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism: Relation to Treatment Outcomes and Client Characteristics. [2022]Therapeutic alliance may influence treatment outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study examined the trajectory of alliance, observationally-measured at four timepoints during a 16-week mindfulness-based treatment targeting emotion regulation problems in adolescents and young adults with ASD (n = 37, mean age = 15.28, 78.40% male). Variability in alliance as a function of client characteristics and the degree to which alliance predicted emotion regulation outcomes were assessed using parent-report forms. Results demonstrate that alliance fluctuates throughout treatment. Moreover, stronger alliance predicts decreased dysphoria at posttreatment. Results also suggest that increased ASD symptom severity and depression predict weaker alliance early and throughout treatment. Findings highlight a need for clinicians to consider the importance of developing strong alliance for clients with ASD.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Parents Implementing Early Intervention for Autism: An RCT. [2023]Systems of care emphasize parent-delivered intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Meanwhile, multiple studies document psychological distress within these parents. This pilot longitudinal randomized controlled trial compared the parent-implemented Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM) to P-ESDM plus mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for parents. We evaluated changes in parent functioning during active treatment and at follow-up.
Brief Report: Mindfulness Training for Chinese Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents in Hong Kong. [2022]This study investigated the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a concurrent mindfulness program (MYmind) on Chinese adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and their parents in Hong Kong, China using a randomized controlled trial with a waitlist control group. Results showed the study had 80% compliance rate, 0% dropout rate, and 89% response rate. Between-group comparisons showed mindfulness had trend effects on parent's rumination (g = 1.16), mindful parenting (d = 0.6), parenting style (d = 0.59), and parenting stress (d = 0.5). The study demonstrated the feasibility of the MYmind program in the Chinese context. A larger trial with longer follow-up period is suggested to better examine the effect of mindfulness on adolescents with ASD and their parents.
Feasibility of a school-based mindfulness program for improving inhibitory skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. [2021]Executive dysfunction is prevalent in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including prominent difficulties in the two facets of inhibition, as well as with selective attention. School-based mindfulness has been used in typically-developing children to improve executive functioning, though this has not been investigated in children with ASD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a school-based mindfulness program for improving inhibition (prepotent response inhibition and interference control) and selective attention in children with ASD.