Youth-focused group mindfulness-based intervention in individuals with early psychosis: A randomized pilot feasibility study

Abstract

Aim: To assess the feasibility of a randomized pilot trial that evaluated the acceptability and potential clinical utility of the Mindfulness Ambassador Program (MAP), a unique, standardized 12-session facilitated group mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for youth experiencing early psychosis.

Methods: Twenty-one patients of an early psychosis intervention program were randomized to receive MAP (n = 11) or treatment as usual (n = 10). Acceptability was measured by group attendance rate and client satisfaction; feasibility of the study design was measured by the recruitment and retention rate. The means, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals were described for outcomes of interest.

Results: MAP is associated with a high degree of acceptability and has beneficial effects for depression and fatigue. The randomized trial design is feasible.

Conclusions: This study provides important pilot data supporting a larger randomized trial of effectiveness for MAP as a group MBI for early psychosis. Details of MAP and study limitations are discussed.

Keywords: affective symptoms; early medical intervention; mindfulness; psychosis; schizophrenia.