Diabetes control and self-efficacy are related, particularly in adolescents. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are associated with improved mental health outcomes. Our objective was to evaluate acceptability and clinical outcomes of a MBI in adolescents with T1D. We performed a 2-arm implementation-effectiveness trial in adolescents 15-17y with T1D diagnosed for <u>></u>6 mo. Participants received the evidence-based Learning to BREATHE MBI with diabetes education (MBI+DE) or DE only (DE). DE focused on topics for transitioning to adulthood. For each arm, 12 virtual group sessions were held weekly. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed by enrollment, attendance, and survey completion. Secondary outcomes included HbA1c at appointments and mental health questionnaires. Analyses included independent samples t-test and repeated measures. Sixty adolescents were recruited and 29 enrolled (MBI+DE=20, DE=19, 52% female). Pre (8.3<u>+</u>0.4%) and post-HbA1c (8.3<u>+</u>0.3%) were similar. Session attendance was 7.2<u>+</u>3.3 for MBI+DE and 7.9<u>+</u>3.1 for DE (p=0.57) and 62% completed both survey sets. All reported managing <u>></u>1 area of life better after the study and 70% reported improved coping with stress. All MBI+DE participants reported practicing <u>></u>1 MBI skill outside of group sessions. While similar at baseline, MBI+DE reported better coping with stress (3.9<u>+</u>0.6; 6-point Likert scale) compared to DE (3.3<u>+</u>0.5, p=0.03) post-intervention. DE demonstrated a trend for improved scores on the Problem Areas in Diabetes-Teen questionnaire (DE pre 76<u>+</u>12, post 53<u>+</u>8, p=0.06; MBI+DE pre 63<u>+</u>7, post 66<u>+</u>7, p=0.60). In adolescents with T1D, implementation of a MBI is acceptable and associated with improved coping skills. MBI with ongoing diabetes education may improve self-efficacy and coping with T1D. It is yet to be seen whether MBI results in long-term impact on diabetes outcomes.
L.A. Ray: None. J.M. Pike: None. L.A. Machuca: None. G.J. Eckert: None. P.C. Broderick: None. T.S. Hannon: Advisory Panel; Eli Lilly and Company.
Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute funded in part by National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Clinical and Translational Sciences Award (UL1TR002529)
