Frontiers in Psychology (May 2019)

One-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial Piloting a Mindfulness-Based Group Intervention for Adolescent Insulin Resistance

  • Lauren B. Shomaker,
  • Lauren B. Shomaker,
  • Lauren B. Shomaker,
  • Bernadette Pivarunas,
  • Shelly K. Annameier,
  • Lauren Gulley,
  • Lauren Gulley,
  • Jordan Quaglia,
  • Kirk Warren Brown,
  • Patricia Broderick,
  • Christopher Bell

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01040
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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IntroductionTo explore if a brief mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) leads to sustained, improved clinical outcomes in adolescents at-risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D).MethodsParticipants were 12–17y girls with overweight/obesity, elevated depression symptoms, and T2D family history participating in a randomized, controlled pilot trial of a six-session MBI vs. cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) group. At baseline and 1-year, mindfulness, depression, insulin resistance (IR), and body composition were assessed with validated instruments.ResultsOne-year retention was 71% (n = 12) in MBI; 81% (n = 13) in CBT. At 1-year, depression decreased (Cohen’s d = 0.68) and IR decreased (d = 0.73) in adolescents randomized to MBI compared to those in CBT. There were no significant between-condition differences in mindfulness, adiposity, or BMI.DiscussionOne-year outcomes from this randomized, controlled pilot trial suggest that brief MBI may reduce depression and IR in at-risk adolescents. Replication and exploration of mechanisms within the context of a larger clinical trial are necessary.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02218138.

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