ERIC Number: EJ1474950
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jul
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindful Time, a Novel Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Autistic Adolescents and Their Caregivers
Nicole L. Matthews1; Melissa M. Mitchell1; Hannah Honda1; Amanda Malligo1; Summer Boyd1; Broc A. Pagni2; B. Blair Braden2
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v29 n7 p1864-1882 2025
A growing body of research suggests that mindfulness-based interventions may be a valuable method for reducing internalizing symptoms in autistic individuals. The current study extends this work using an effectiveness-implementation hybrid type 1 study. In this parallel randomized controlled trial, we examined a novel telehealth intervention for autistic adolescents and their caregivers. MINDful TIME includes eight weekly group meetings and regular use of a commercially available mindfulness meditation app. Participants were 42 adolescent-parent dyads randomized to the treatment or delayed treatment control (DTC) group. The program was implemented with fidelity (91.24%-94.78%), and 90% of treatment group dyads completed the program. On average, participants attended >90% of sessions and reported high acceptability. Treatment group adolescents demonstrated statistically and clinically significant reductions in parent-reported depression symptoms relative to DTC (F(1, 34) = 7.31, p = 0.01, n[subscript p superscript 2] = 0.18). Female adolescents in the treatment group showed significant reductions in parent-reported anxiety symptoms (F(1, 34) = 4.22, p = 0.05, n[subscript p superscript 2] = 0.11). Exploratory analyses indicated treatment-related improvements in adolescent executive functioning, parent mindfulness and well-being, and adolescent-parent relationship dysfunction. Findings warrant future examination of MINDful TIME to address well-documented challenges with mental health in this population. This trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05685589).
Descriptors: Intervention, Metacognition, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adolescents, Parents, Program Effectiveness, Depression (Psychology), Gender Differences, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Parent Child Relationship, Executive Function, Well Being, Mental Health, Emotional Response, Videoconferencing, Anxiety, Telecommunications, Handheld Devices
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Arizona
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test; Childrens Depression Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, USA; 2Arizona State University, USA