School-based mindfulness training in early adolescence: what works, for whom and how in the MYRIAD trial?

Background Preventing mental health problems in early adolescence is a priority. School-based mindfulness training (SBMT) is an approach with mixed evidence.Objectives To explore for whom SBMT does/does not work and what influences outcomes.Methods The My Resilience in Adolescence was a parallel-gro...

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Main Authors: Susan Ball, Obioha C Ukoumunne, Tamsin Ford, Sarah Byford, Tim Dalgleish, Willem Kuyken, Jesus Montero-Marin, Kate Tudor, Alice Tickell, Catherine Crane, Ariane Petit, Elise Sellars, Laura Taylor, Maris Vainre, Benjamin Jones, Kirsty Griffiths, Elizabeth Nuthall, J Mark G Williams, Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, Katie Fletcher, Emma Medlicott, Anam Raja, Matthew Allwood, Louise Aukland, Tríona Casey, Nicola Dalrymple, Katherine De Wilde, Eleanor-Rose Farley, Jennifer Harper, Nils Kappelmann, Maria Kempnich, Liz Lord, Lucy Palmer, Alice Philips, Isobel Pryor-Nitsch, Lucy Radley, Anna Sonley, Jem Shackleford, Mark T Greenberg, Verena Hinze, Saz Ahmed, Marc Bennett, Lucy Foulkes, Cait Griffin, Konstantina Komninidou, Rachel Knight, Suzannah Laws, Jovita Leung, Jenna Parker, Blanca Piera Pi-Sunyer, Ashok Sakhardande, Lucy Warriner, Brian Wainman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2022-08-01
Series:BMJ Mental Health
Online Access:https://mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/25/3/117.full
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Summary:Background Preventing mental health problems in early adolescence is a priority. School-based mindfulness training (SBMT) is an approach with mixed evidence.Objectives To explore for whom SBMT does/does not work and what influences outcomes.Methods The My Resilience in Adolescence was a parallel-group, cluster randomised controlled trial (K=84 secondary schools; n=8376 students, age: 11–13) recruiting schools that provided standard social–emotional learning. Schools were randomised 1:1 to continue this provision (control/teaching as usual (TAU)), and/or to offer SBMT (‘.b’ (intervention)). Risk of depression, social–emotional–behavioural functioning and well-being were measured at baseline, preintervention, post intervention and 1 year follow-up. Hypothesised moderators, implementation factors and mediators were analysed using mixed effects linear regressions, instrumental variable methods and path analysis.Findings SBMT versus TAU resulted in worse scores on risk of depression and well-being in students at risk of mental health problems both at post intervention and 1-year follow-up, but differences were small and not clinically relevant. Higher dose and reach were associated with worse social–emotional–behavioural functioning at postintervention. No implementation factors were associated with outcomes at 1-year follow-up. Pregains−postgains in mindfulness skills and executive function predicted better outcomes at 1-year follow-up, but the SBMT was unsuccessful to teach these skills with clinical relevance.SBMT as delivered in this trial is not indicated as a universal intervention. Moreover, it may be contraindicated for students with existing/emerging mental health symptoms.Clinical implications Universal SBMT is not recommended in this format in early adolescence. Future research should explore social−emotional learning programmes adapted to the unique needs of young people.
ISSN:2755-9734