Abstract
Very preterm (VPT) children and adolescents show executive, behavioural and socio-emotional difficulties that persists into adulthood. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) in improving these competencies in VPT young adolescents using a randomised controlled trial design. 56 young adolescents aged 10–14 years, born before 32 gestational weeks, were randomly assigned to an “intervention” or a “waiting” group and completed an 8-week MBI in a cross-over design. Executive, behavioural and socio-emotional competencies were assessed at three different time points via parent and self-reported questionnaires, neuropsychological testing and computerised tasks. The data were analysed using an intention-to-treat approach with linear regression modelling. Our findings show a beneficial effect of MBI on executive, behavioural and socio-emotional competencies in VPT young adolescents measured by parent questionnaires. Increased executive competencies were also observed on computerised task with enhanced speed of processing after MBI. Two subgroups of participants were created based on measures of prematurity, which revealed increased long-term benefits in the moderate-risk that were not observed in the high-risk subgroups of VPT young adolescents. MBI seems a valuable tool for reducing detrimental consequences of prematurity in young adolescents, especially regarding executive, behavioural and socio-emotional difficulties.Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials, NCT04638101. Registered 20 November 2020—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT04638101.
Highlights
Very preterm (VPT) children and adolescents show executive, behavioural and socio-emotional difficulties that persists into adulthood
There was no robust effect on other socio-emotional scores, including scores evaluated by parent-reported questionnaires, i.e., total score of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire—parent version (SDQ) assessing behavioural difficulties; scores evaluated by self-reported questionnaires, i.e., total score of the KIDSCREEN-27 assessing quality of life and total score of the Social Goal Scale assessing social responsiveness; and scores evaluated by neuropsychological testing, i.e., total score of the Affect Recognition subtest (NEPSY-II) assessing facial emotional recognition and the total score of the Theory of Mind subtest (NEPSY-II) measuring the ability to understand mental functions, Supplementary Tables S5 and S6. This randomised controlled trial (RCT) assessed the effectiveness of an 8-week mindfulnessbased intervention (MBI) in VPT young adolescents to improve executive, behavioural and socio-emotional competencies
Our findings show beneficial effects of MBI immediately after the intervention on executive, behavioural and socio-emotional competencies in every-day life based on parentreported questionnaires and on processing speed capacities
Summary
Very preterm (VPT) children and adolescents show executive, behavioural and socio-emotional difficulties that persists into adulthood. These effects have been observed using a variety of self-reported and parent/teacher-reported measures, including measures of stress, anxiety, sleep and mental h ealth[36,46,47,48] These studies suggest that MBI can be a valid way to support the development of executive functions, including attentional control and information processing speed, as well as behavioural and socio-emotional competencies. Mechanisms that underlie the beneficial effects of MBI remain unclear but evidence from recent adult behavioural and neuroimaging studies suggest that MBI relies on a process of enhanced overall self-regulation, including attention control, emotion regulation and self-awareness[49] This randomised controlled trial (RCT) study aims to assess the effectiveness of an 8-week MBI in VPT young adolescents aged 10–14 years to improve executive, behavioural and socio-emotional functioning. The age of 10–14 years has been targeted as a crucial developmental period during which MBI may be beneficial[50]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
