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 (MBIs) support mental health. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week MBI in adolescents with obesity and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This study 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 postintervention satisfaction surveys. Questionnaires were administered pre- and postintervention and after 12 months for depression and anxiety symptoms and quality of life (PedsQL). RESULTS Sixty-eight of 73 screened participants (93%) 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; and 44% White, 41% Black, and 1% Hispanic race and ethnicity). 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 the normal range for the population and did not change from pre- to postintervention. Immediately following the intervention, the PedsQL score was higher (from 65 ± 20 to 70 ± 19). Sixteen participants had HbA1c and BMI measures corresponding to all three time points, and these were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS A 12-week virtual group MBI was feasible and acceptable in adolescents with obesity and type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.