Mindfulness Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Overseen By Nicole Matthews, Ph.D.

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

Disqualifiers: Non-verbal, IQ <70, physical disability, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

Duration: 8 weeks

28 Participants Needed

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. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is 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. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

How 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. ^{1 2 3 4 8}

Research Team

Nicole Matthews, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

Eligibility 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.

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)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• MINDful TIME

Trial Overview 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).

Participant Groups

Group I: MINDful TIME group Experimental Treatment 1 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

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

9

Recruited

950+

Arizona State University

Collaborator

Trials

311

Recruited

109,000+

Findings from Research

Mindfulness-based therapies show promise in improving outcomes for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but more research is needed to understand the specific components that contribute to their effectiveness.

Future studies should focus on the duration of benefits, the psychological and neural mechanisms behind the changes observed, and the overall breadth of impact these therapies have on individuals with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early Reflections on the Therapeutic Effects of Mindfulness-Based Therapies in Adults with Autism and Suggestions for Future Research. Pagni, BA., Braden, BB.[2021]

Mindfulness-based interventions show promising potential for improving anxiety, social skills, and aggressive behaviors in children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), based on a systematic review of 23 studies.

However, the overall quality of the studies was weak, with over half being rated as having methodological weaknesses, which suggests that results should be interpreted cautiously.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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. Loftus, T., Mathersul, DC., Ooi, M., et al.[2023]

A virtual group-based mindfulness intervention designed specifically for autistic adults was found to be feasible and well-accepted, with 37 participants completing a six-week course and providing positive feedback on the experience.

Participants reported significant reductions in psychological distress and improvements in mindfulness and self-compassion, with these benefits maintained at a three-month follow-up, indicating the potential effectiveness of adapted mindfulness practices for this community.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Group-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Autistic Adults: a Feasibility Study. Lunsky, Y., Redquest, B., Albaum, C., et al.[2022]

Both Therapeutic Riding (THR) and HeartMath (HM) mindfulness interventions effectively reduced cortisol levels immediately after sessions in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, based on a study involving 27 participants over three 10-week periods.

HeartMath showed a greater impact on heart-rate variability compared to Therapeutic Riding, while THR was more effective in reducing certain self-reported stress levels, indicating that both interventions have unique benefits for managing stress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Riding or Mindfulness: Comparative Effectiveness of Two Recreational Therapy Interventions for Adolescents with Autism. Kemeny, B., Burk, S., Hutchins, D., et al.[2023]

In a 16-week mindfulness-based treatment study involving 37 adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the therapeutic alliance was found to fluctuate over time, indicating that the relationship between the therapist and client can change during treatment.

A stronger therapeutic alliance was associated with better emotion regulation outcomes, specifically reduced dysphoria after treatment, suggesting that building a strong connection with clients is crucial for effective therapy in individuals with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Alliance Formation for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism: Relation to Treatment Outcomes and Client Characteristics. Brewe, AM., Mazefsky, CA., White, SW.[2022]

In a pilot study involving 61 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, both parent-implemented Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM) and P-ESDM plus mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) led to significant improvements in parent stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety during treatment.

Parents who participated in the MBSR program experienced greater reductions in parental distress and dysfunctional interactions with their children compared to those who only received P-ESDM, highlighting the potential benefits of integrating mindfulness strategies into interventions for parents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Parents Implementing Early Intervention for Autism: An RCT. Weitlauf, AS., Broderick, N., Stainbrook, JA., et al.[2023]

The MYmind mindfulness program showed high feasibility in a study with Chinese adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, achieving an 80% compliance rate and 0% dropout rate, indicating strong participant engagement.

Preliminary results suggested that the program positively impacted parents' mental health, with notable trends in reducing rumination and parenting stress, highlighting its potential benefits for families affected by autism.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief Report: Mindfulness Training for Chinese Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents in Hong Kong. Ho, RYF., Zhang, D., Chan, SKC., et al.[2022]

An eight-week school-based mindfulness program significantly improved inhibition and selective attention in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with 27 participants involved in the study.

The intervention led to medium effect sizes for prepotent response inhibition and interference control, and a large effect size for overall selective attention, suggesting mindfulness can enhance executive functioning in children with ASD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a school-based mindfulness program for improving inhibitory skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Juliano, AC., Alexander, AO., DeLuca, J., et al.[2021]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early Reflections on the Therapeutic Effects of Mindfulness-Based Therapies in Adults with Autism and Suggestions for Future Research. [2021]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Group-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Autistic Adults: a Feasibility Study. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Riding or Mindfulness: Comparative Effectiveness of Two Recreational Therapy Interventions for Adolescents with Autism. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Alliance Formation for Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism: Relation to Treatment Outcomes and Client Characteristics. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Parents Implementing Early Intervention for Autism: An RCT. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brief Report: Mindfulness Training for Chinese Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents in Hong Kong. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a school-based mindfulness program for improving inhibitory skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. [2021]