The impact of mindfulness training in early adolescence on affective executive control, and on later mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomised controlled trial. Issue 3 (12th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dunning, Darren; Ahmed, S; Foulkes, L; Griffin, C; Griffiths, K; Leung, J T; Parker, J; Piera Pi-Sunyer, Blanca; Sakhardande, A; Bennett, M; Haag, C; Montero-Marin, Jesus; Packman, D; Vainre, Maris; Watson, P; Kuyken, Willem; Williams, J Mark G; Ukoumunne, Obioha C; Blakemore, Sarah-Jayne; Dalgleish, Tim
• Other Names: author non-byline.; Baer Ruth author non-byline.; Brett Daniel author non-byline.; Farley Eleanor-Rose author non-byline.; Casey Triona author non-byline.; Dalrymple Nicola author non-byline.; Wilde Katherine De author non-byline.; Fletcher Katie author non-byline.; Harper Jennifer author non-byline.; Hinze Verena author non-byline.; Kapplemann Nils author non-byline.; Kempnich Maria author non-byline.; Komnindou Konstantina author non-byline.; Laws Suzannah author non-byline.; Lord Liz author non-byline.; Medlicott Emma author non-byline.; Palmer Lucy author non-byline.; Petit Ariane author non-byline.; Phillips Alice author non-byline.; Pryor-Nitsch Isobel author non-byline.; Radley Lucy author non-byline.; Raja Anam author non-byline.; Sellars Elsie author non-byline.; Shackleford Jem author non-byline.; Sonley Anna author non-byline.; Taylor Laura author non-byline.; Tickell Alice author non-byline.; Warriner Lucy author non-byline.; Byford Sarah author non-byline.; Greenberg Mark author non-byline.; Ford Tamsin author non-byline.; Gathercole Susan author non-byline.; Viner Russell author non-byline.; Zelazo Phil author non-byline.; Knight Rachel author non-byline.; Pi-Sunyer Blanca Piera author non-byline.; Thomas Kirsten author non-byline.; Ball Susan author non-byline.; Ben Jones Poushali Ganguli author non-byline.; Allen Nick author non-byline.; Bogels Susan author non-byline.; Cuijpers Pim author non-byline.; Domitrovich Celene author non-byline.; Frith Uta author non-byline.; Moffitt Terrie author non-byline.; Patel Vikram author non-byline.;
• Is Part Of: Evidence-based mental health. Volume 25:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 110
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2022-07-12
• Subjects: child & adolescent psychiatry; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Periodicals; 616.891
• DOI: 10.1136/ebmental-2022-300460
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-0347

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Previous research suggests that mindfulness training (MT) appears effective at improving mental health in young people. MT is proposed to work through improving executive control in affectively laden contexts. However, it is unclear whether MT improves such control in young people. MT appears to mitigate mental health difficulties during periods of stress, but any mitigating effects against COVID-related difficulties remain unexamined. Objective: To evaluate whether MT (intervention) versus psychoeducation (Psy-Ed; control), implemented in after-school classes: (1) Improves affective executive control; and/or (2) Mitigates negative mental health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A parallel randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted (Registration: https://osf.io/d6y9q/ ; Funding: Wellcome (WT104908/Z/14/Z, WT107496/Z/15/Z)). 460 students aged 11-16 years were recruited and randomised 1:1 to either MT (N=235) or Psy-Ed (N=225) and assessed preintervention and postintervention on experimental tasks and self-report inventories of affective executive control. The RCT was then extended to evaluate protective functions of MT on mental health assessed after the first UK COVID-19 lockdown. Findings: Results provided no evidence that the version of MT used here improved affective executive control after training or mitigated negative consequences on mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic relative to Psy-Ed. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: There is no evidence that MT improves affective control or downstream mental health of young people during stressful periods. Clinical implications: We need to identify interventions that can enhance affective control and thereby young people's mental health.