Online Mindfulness Program for Parents of Children with Autism

Overseen By Rochelle McLaughlin, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: San Jose State University

Must not be taking: Psychotherapy medications

Disqualifiers: Severe mental illness, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 11

Duration: 8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores the impact of an online 8-week mindfulness program on parents of children with autism. The study aims to determine if online sessions can reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost resilience in parents, while also observing any changes in their physical responses to stress. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will participate in the online program immediately, while the other will join later. Parents of children aged 6-12 diagnosed with autism who are not currently receiving therapy and have no past meditation experience may be eligible. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how mindfulness can support parents in managing stress.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

Yes, you will need to stop taking your current medications for health issues to participate in this trial.

What prior data suggests that this online mindfulness program is safe for parents of children with autism?

Studies have shown that Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is generally safe for participants. Research indicates that MBSR, which reduces stress through meditation and mindfulness exercises, is well-tolerated by participants. Past studies reported better stress management and less negativity among parents.

In another study, participants in low-intensity MBSR programs experienced long-term benefits with few side effects. This finding suggests that the online version of MBSR, like the one in this trial, is likely safe and helpful for parents of children with autism. Overall, MBSR is considered a safe way to manage stress, especially in a supportive, group-based, and online setting. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Online Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program for parents of children with autism because it offers a unique, accessible approach to managing stress. Unlike traditional in-person therapy sessions, this program is delivered entirely online, making it more convenient for busy parents. Additionally, it employs mindfulness techniques taught by a trained instructor, which can help in developing coping mechanisms to handle stress effectively. This innovative method stands out because it can be accessed from the comfort of home, potentially increasing engagement and adherence among parents who might otherwise face logistical barriers to support.

What evidence suggests that this online mindfulness program is effective for parents of children with autism?

This trial will compare an Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program with a waitlist control group. Studies have shown that MBSR can benefit parents of children with autism. Research indicates that MBSR reduces stress, anxiety, and depression in parents while increasing mindfulness. One study found that both parents and their children improved in managing emotions and developing useful skills after participating in mindfulness programs. Another analysis showed that these programs significantly reduce stress and enhance mental well-being for parents. Overall, MBSR effectively reduces stress and negativity in parents, making it a promising option for those raising children with autism. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Megan Chang, PhD

Principal Investigator

San Jose State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for parents of children aged 6-12 with autism who speak English and haven't had prior mindfulness training or severe mental illness. They shouldn't be in psychotherapy or on medications for health issues, and must commit to an 8-week online program.

Inclusion Criteria

Parents have never participated in a MBSR workshop prior to enrollment

Parents do not have a severe mental illness (self-assessed)

My parents have agreed to join the 8-week stress reduction program.

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently taking medication or undergoing psychotherapy for my health issues.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete baseline assessments including surveys and lab experiments

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants receive an 8-week online MBSR intervention

8 weeks

8 sessions (virtual)

Midpoint Assessment

Participants complete midpoint assessments including surveys and lab experiments

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in resilience, stress, and other measures

3 months

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Online Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Trial Overview The study tests if an online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program helps parents manage stress, improve resilience, sleep better, and support their child's behavior. It compares results before and after the course using psychological assessments and physical stress measures.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Online MBSR 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

received modified online 8-week group-based MBSR intervention delivered by a UMASS trained MBSR instructor

Group II: Waitlist control Active Control 1 Intervention

On a waiting list to receive the identical intervention as the treatment group after the active treatment group completes.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

San Jose State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

11

Recruited

1,900+

Published Research Related to This Trial

An 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and self-compassion (SC) program for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed promising results in reducing stress and anxiety, as well as increasing mindful attention awareness among participants.

Although the study involved only 12 parents, with 10 completing the program, the findings suggest a need for larger clinical trials to better understand the efficacy of MBSR and SC in this population and to support their integration into community intervention programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Self Compassion (SC) Training for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Trial in Community Services in Spain. Rojas-Torres, LP., Alonso-Esteban, Y., López-Ramón, MF., et al.[2021]

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]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8143306/

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Self ... [47] studied a 23-day parent–child trial, finding improvements in ASD symptoms, emotional regulation and adaptive skills in young people and their parents.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06975163

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Intervention in ... To bridge this research gap, this study introduces a novel 4-week Mindfulness-Based Stigma Stress Reduction (MBSSR) program tailored for parents of children ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1526001/full

The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for ... This meta-analysis demonstrates that MBIs significantly reduce parental stress, alleviate anxiety, depression, and stress, and enhance mindfulness awareness in ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10853488/

Comparative Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress ... Comparative effects of mindfulness and skills-based parent training programs for parents of children with autism: Feasibility and preliminary outcome data.

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03459625

Mindfulness for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum ... The current study examines the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to reduce parenting stress, lessen parental reactivity and negativity, ...

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2227-9067/8/5/316

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Self ... This study aims to develop a clinical trial to test the efficacy of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and self-compassion (SC) program

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8025402/

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Parents ... Results suggest that manualized, low intensity stress reduction strategies may have long-term impacts on parent stress.

8. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-mindfulness-7-2022-b3eb6

Online Mindfulness Program for Parents of Children with ... This trial investigates an online mindfulness course designed to help parents of children with autism manage stress and improve their well-being.

9. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-022-01909-4

Virtual Group–Based Mindfulness Intervention for Autistic ... We designed an adapted virtual group–based mindfulness intervention, based on input from autistic adults, and evaluated its feasibility.