Objectives
This single-site, randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the impact of 8-week mindfulness sessions on cognitive variables such as working memory and sustained attention, along with emotional variables including stress and self-esteem, as well as social behavior, among adolescents aged 16 with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).
Methods
A total of 45 adolescents (24 boys; 21 girls; age, 16.02 ± 0.36 years) were enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups of 15, the mindfulness (MG), physical activity (PAG), and control group (CG), and blindly administered (a) the digit span task, (b) the Corsi Block-Tapping Test, (c) the Zazzo Two-Sign Barrage, (d) pH indicator paper strips, (e) the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and (f) the Social Responsiveness Scale at the baseline (T0) and after 8 weeks (T1). During the intervention period, the MG and PAG attended two weekly mindfulness and physical activity (PA) sessions of 30 and 45 min, respectively. At T0, no significant differences between the groups were observed.
Results
A two-way ANOVA with repeated measures revealed that mindfulness was associated with higher levels of (i) sustained attention, (ii) visuospatial working memory, (iii) stress, and (iv) social behavior. However, no significant effect was observed on verbal working memory and global self-esteem, in comparison to PAG and the CG.
Conclusions
The promising results of this study showed the potential of mindfulness practice as an effective and cost-effective intervention for a population with IDD. In this regard, mindfulness seems an interesting intervention to introduce into the school environment.
Preregistration
This study is not preregistered.