The present study was a randomized controlled trial that explored the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of short-term mindfulness training among adolescents. The primary purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of two main Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction components-sitting meditation and hatha yoga-on working memory, stress, anxiety and mindfulness. The influence of daily home practice compliance on intervention outcomes was also examined.
The present study was a randomized controlled trial that explored the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of short-term mindfulness training among adolescents. The primary purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of two main Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction components-sitting meditation and hatha yoga-on working memory, stress, anxiety and mindfulness. The influence of daily home practice compliance on intervention outcomes was also examined. Participants (N = 198 adolescents) were recruited from a large public middle school in southern California. Participants were randomly assigned to sitting meditation, hatha yoga, or a waitlist control group. Participants were asked to complete a computerized working memory task, and self-report measures of perceived stress, anxiety, and mindfulness at pre- and post-intervention/waitlist, as well as one-month follow-up. A series of mixed-design analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to examine changes in working memory, stress, anxiety, and mindfulness between groups at pre- and post- intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
198
4 weeks Sitting Meditation
4 weeks of Hatha yoga
Working Memory Capacity: Automated Operational Span Task (AOSPAN)
Participants completed the AOSPAN prior to beginning their group condition (sitting meditation, Hatha yoga, or waitlist control) and again at the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period.
Time frame: pre-intervention and post-intervention (waitlist), t the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period
Stress: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10)
Participants completed the PSS-10 prior to beginning their group condition (sitting meditation, Hatha yoga, or waitlist control) and again at the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period.
Time frame: pre-intervention and post-intervention (waitlist), t the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period
Anxiety: Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED)
Participants completed the SCARED prior to beginning their group condition (sitting meditation, Hatha yoga, or waitlist control) and again at the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period.
Time frame: pre-intervention and post-intervention, t the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period
Mindfulness: Child Acceptance and Mindfulness Measure (CAMM)
Participants completed the CAMM prior to beginning their group condition (sitting meditation, Hatha yoga, or waitlist control) and again at the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period.
Time frame: pre-intervention and post-intervention (waitlist), t the end of the 4-week intervention (waitlist) period
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.