Mindfulness-Based Intervention Development for Children and Adolescents.

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have become an increasingly widespread treatment for psychiatric and medical disorders in children and adolescents. However, enthusiasm for mindfulness in pediatric populations may outpace the evidence. To address this gap, we integrate the “Framework for Developing and Testing Mind and Body Interventions” issued by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) with the National Institute of Health (NIH) “Stage Model of Intervention Development,” and offer specific recommendations based on the stage model of MBI development to guide the design, evaluation, implementation, and dissemination of MBIs in young persons. As such, we offer both a theoretical framework and practical guidance to child and adolescent clinicians and researchers seeking to develop and/or test evidence-based MBIs. We believe that this paper has great potential for scientific and public health benefit, given the rapidly increasing use of mindfulness as a clinical intervention.