Mindfulness-based stress reduction for autistic adults: A feasibility study in an outpatient context.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) could be adapted for autistic adults and whether participants found it beneficial for stress reduction and coping.
Results Summary
Participants reported that MBSR could lower stress symptoms and improve stress coping, and they were positive about the intervention, recommending it to others. However, larger studies are needed to further investigate these effects.
Population
50 autistic adults without intellectual disability
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness-based stress reduction groups | decrease | stress responses | autistic adults, without intellectual disability | - | aim to help regulate | #1 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction | decrease | symptoms of stress | autistic adults | - | could lower | #2 |
mindfulness-based stress reduction | increase | stress coping | autistic adults | - | improved | #3 |
Autistic adults report high stress levels and difficulties dealing with everyday stressors. Mindfulness-based stress reduction groups aim to help regulate stress responses. We asked 50 autistic adults, without intellectual disability, to participate in a study of mindfulness-based stress reduction. The group program was made accessible through clear group leader communication and good program predictability, as well as reduced exposure to disturbing sensory stimuli. The mindfulness and yoga based exercises from the original mindfulness-based stress reduction program were included. The participants were positive and would even recommend an autistic friend to participate in a mindfulness-based stress reduction group. They reported that mindfulness-based stress reduction could lower symptoms of stress and improved stress coping. We still need to investigate these effects further in larger studies. The findings of this work show that mindfulness-based stress reduction groups can be adapted for autistic adults and that the participants overall were positive to the intervention and the group format.