Evaluation of the mindfulness-augmented "Trampoline" programme - a German prevention programme for children from substance-involved families tested in a cluster-randomised trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-augmented version of the "Trampoline" programme in improving adaptive stress-coping strategies and reducing problem behaviors in children from substance-involved families.
Results Summary
The study expects larger effects on adaptive stress-coping strategies, internalising and externalising problem behaviors, and distress due to parental substance use compared to the standard programme. It also investigates the feasibility of mindfulness-based interventions in psychiatric and youth welfare settings.
Population
Children aged 8-12 from substance-involved families receiving non-substance-specific care in psychiatric or youth welfare services.
Effective Dosage
Mindfulness components practiced for 30 minutes in each validated "Trampoline" module.
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-augmented version of the modularised evidence-based "Trampoline" programme | increase | adaptive stress-coping strategies | children who are from substance-involved families, aged from 8 to 12 and receiving non-substance-specific care in psychiatric or youth welfare services | - | Larger effects on | #1 |
mindfulness-augmented version of the modularised evidence-based "Trampoline" programme | decrease | internalising and externalising problem behaviours | children who are from substance-involved families, aged from 8 to 12 and receiving non-substance-specific care in psychiatric or youth welfare services | - | Larger effects on | #2 |
mindfulness-augmented version of the modularised evidence-based "Trampoline" programme | decrease | distress due to parental substance use | children who are from substance-involved families, aged from 8 to 12 and receiving non-substance-specific care in psychiatric or youth welfare services | - | Larger effects on | #3 |
BACKGROUND: Children of substance-abusing parents are at a substantial risk of developing substance-use and other mental disorders. Children involved in substance abuse - not diagnosed with substance-use problems but integrated in psychiatric treatment or youth welfare services - constitute a particular high-risk group that is in need of substance use prevention. Emerging evidence indicates that self-regulatory determinants of substance use and other mental disorders, particularly stress reactivity, are modifiable by mindfulness-based interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction. METHODS: In this ongoing cluster randomised-controlled trial, a mindfulness-augmented version of the modularised evidence-based "Trampoline" programme for children affected by parental substance use problems is evaluated in a sample of 420 children who are from substance-involved families, aged from 8 to 12 and receiving non-substance-specific care in psychiatric or youth welfare services. Larger effects on adaptive stress-coping strategies (primary outcome), internalising and externalising problem behaviours and distress due to parental substance use are expected compared to the standard "Trampoline"-programme version. Mindfulness components will be added and regularly practiced for 30 min in each validated "Trampoline" module. Moreover, the feasibility of mindfulness-based interventions in psychiatric care and youth welfare services for children suffering from emotional and behavioural problems will be investigated in this study. DISCUSSION: Despite recruitment challenges, this study provides a unique opportunity to develop and test a promising addiction-specific, mindfulness-based intervention for a target group at risk, i.e. children from substance-involved families. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register on July 16th 2018 (trial registration number (TRN): DRKS00013533 ). Any important protocol modifications are to be reported immediately. Protocol version v.2.1, 15th April 2019.