Learning to Breathe with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability Study of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention in Youth with Type 2 Diabetes or Prediabetes

Objective. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) support mental health. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week MBI in adolescents with obesity and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Methods. This was an uncontrolled, pilot, feasibility and acceptability evaluation in youth aged 15–17 years with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. The Learning to BREATHE (L2B) curriculum was delivered via 12 virtual group sessions. Recruitment, retention, and attendance were tracked to measure feasibility. Acceptability was measured via post-intervention satisfaction surveys. Questionnaires were administered: pre- and post-intervention, and after 12 months for depression and anxiety symptoms and quality of life (PedsQLTM). Results. Sixty-eight of 73 (93%) screened participants were eligible. By design, we enrolled the first 30 eligible participants who agreed and consented to participate. Three (10%) withdrew prior to L2B participation. Twenty-seven completed L2B (90% retention, 18 female; 44% White, 41% Black, 1% Hispanic). The mean attendance was 8 of 12 sessions (67%). Survey completion was 100% pre-L2B, 93% post-L2B, and 81% 12 months post-L2B. Most participants agreed/strongly agreed that they felt supported (80%) and enjoyed the sessions (76%). Baseline depression and anxiety scores were within normal for the population and didn’t change from pre- to post-intervention. Immediately following the intervention, the PedsQLTM score was higher (65 ± 20 to 70 ± 19). Sixteen participants had HbA1c and BMI measures corresponding to all three time points and these were unchanged. Conclusion. A 12-week virtual group MBI was feasible and acceptable in adolescents with obesity and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Article Highlights · Why did we undertake this study? Adults and children with diabetes can benefit from stress-reduction interventions, but stress reduction using a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) has not been studied in youth with type 2 diabetes. · What is the specific question(s) we wanted to answer? Is a MBI something that youth with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes be interested in, and would they find it an acceptable way to learn about stress reduction? · What did we find? The MBI was both realistic and acceptable in a virtual setting for youth aged 15-17 with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. · What are the implications of our findings? A larger study to determine the efficacy for improving physical and mental health outcomes is warranted.