Evidence Summary by Topic
| Study, year (design) . | Sample Size, N . | Age, y . | Study Goal . | Intervention . | Outcomes . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biofeedback | |||||
| Knox et al, 2011 (clinical trial)5 | 24 | 9–17 | Examined changes in anxiety and depression | Heart rate variability biofeedback based on a session-by-session protocol | Biofeedback-assisted relaxation training can be useful in decreasing anxiety and depressive symptoms |
| Palermo et al, 2010 (meta-analysis)6 | 1247 (25 studies) | 9–17 | Quantify the effects of psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain in youth | Cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, and biofeedback | Omnibus cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, and biofeedback all produced significant and positive effects on pain reduction |
| Monastra et al, 2005 (review)7 | N/A | 6–19 | Effects of EEG biofeedback on ADHD | EEG biofeedback | EEG biofeedback was determined to be “probably efficacious” for the treatment of ADHD |
| Eccleston et al, 2002 (systematic review)8 | 808 | 6–18 | Efficacy of psychological therapy of children and adolescents with chronic pain | Variety of biofeedback modalities | Treatments examined are effective in reducing the severity and frequency of chronic pain |
| Clinical hypnosis | |||||
| Rutten et al, 2013 (systematic review)9 | 108 | 5–18 | Assess efficacy of HT in pediatric patients with FAP and IBS | Gut-directed HT | Therapeutic effects of HT seem superior to standard medical care in children with FAP or IBS |
| Accardi and Milling, 2009 (systematic review)10 | 528 | 3–19 | Effectiveness of hypnosis in reducing procedure-related pain | Hypnosis | Hypnosis was more effective than standard medical care or control at relieving pain in children during medical procedures |
| Vlieger et al, 2007 (RCT)11 | 53 | 8–18 | Effectiveness of hypnosis for FAP and IBS | 6 sessions of 50 min over a 3-mo period of gut-directed HT | Gut-directed HT is highly effective in the treatment of children with longstanding FAP or IBS |
| Richardson et al, 2006 (systematic review)12 | 313 | 3–18 | Effectiveness of hypnosis for procedure-related pain and distress in pediatric patients with cancer | Hypnosis | Hypnosis has the potential to reduce procedure-related pain and distress in pediatric patients with cancer |
| Butler et al, 2005 (RCT)13 | 44 | 4–15 | Examine whether hypnotic relaxation could reduce distress for children who undergo VCUG | Hypnosis | Results indicate significant benefits for the hypnosis group |
| Calipel et al, 2005 (RCT)14 | 50 | 2–11 | Efficacy of hypnosis on anxiety and perioperative behavioral disorders | Hypnosis | Hypnosis alleviates preoperative anxiety |
| Guided imagery | |||||
| Weigensberg et al, 2014 (RCT)15 | 35 | 14–17 | Determine the effects of the mind-body modality of IGI in obese Latino adolescents | 12 weekly sessions of a lifestyle education plus IGI program | The IGI group showed significant reductions in leisure sedentary behavior and increases in moderate physical activity |
| van Tilburg et al, 2009 (pilot study)16 | 34 | 6–15 | Test a home-based, guided imagery treatment protocol using audio and video recordings | 2-mo guided imagery treatment | Guided imagery treatment plus medical care was superior to standard medical care only for the treatment of abdominal pain |
| Weydert et al, 2006 (RCT)17 | 22 | 5–18 | Evaluated the therapeutic effect of guided imagery for children with recurrent abdominal pain | 4 weekly sessions of guided imagery with progressive muscle relaxation | Significantly greater decrease in the number of days with pain |
| Meditation and MBSR | |||||
| Britton et al, 2014 (RCT, pilot)18 | 101 | 11.7 (mean) | Effects of a nonelective, classroom-based, teacher-implemented, mindfulness meditation intervention on standard clinical measures of mental health and affect | 6-wk program with daily mindfulness meditation practice | Both control and intervention groups decreased significantly on clinical syndrome subscales and affect but did not differ in the extent of their improvements |
| Sibinga et al, 2014 (RCT)19 | 43 | 13–21 | Explore the specific effects of MBSR for urban youth | 8 weekly 2-h MBSR sessions and a 3-h retreat | MBSR did not result in statistically significant differences in self-reported survey outcomes of interest but was associated with qualitative outcomes of increased calm, conflict avoidance, self-awareness, and self-regulation for urban youth |
| Sibinga et al, 2013 (RCT)20 | 41 | 11–14 | Effects of a school-based MBSR program for young urban males | 12-session programs of MBSR | Results provide cautious support that MBSR enhances self-regulatory processes for urban male youth, including improved psychological symptoms and enhanced coping |
| Sibinga et al, 201621 (RCT) | 300 | 12 (mean) | Ameliorate the negative effects of stress and trauma among low-income, minority, middle-school public school students | 12-wk program | MBSR students had significantly lower levels of somatization, depression, negative affect, negative coping, rumination, self-hostility, and posttraumatic symptom severity |
| Barnes et al, 2012 (RCT)22 | 62 | 15–17 | Impact of TM on LVM in African-American youth at increased risk of development of cardiovascular disease | 15-min TM sessions twice/day for 4 mo | TM decreased LVM index in prehypertensive African-American adolescents |
| Wright et al, 2011 (RCT)19 | 121 | 14–15 | Impact on ABP in African-American patients at increased risk of development of essential hypertension | BAM each weekday, 10-min sessions for 3 mo | BAM participants showed significant reductions in self-reported hostility and 24-h systolic ABP |
| Flook et al 2010 (RCT)23 | 64 | 7–9 | Evaluate school-based program of MAPs | 30-min MAPs, twice/week for 8 wk | Stronger effect of MAPs on children with executive function difficulties |
| Biegel et al 2009 (RCT)24 | 102 | 14–18 | Assess the effect of the MBSR program for adolescents with heterogeneous diagnoses in an outpatient psychiatric facility | 8 weekly MBSR classes, meeting 2 h/wk | MBSR may be a beneficial adjunct to outpatient mental health treatment of adolescents |
| Barnes et al, 2004 (RCT)25 | 100 | 15–17 | Determine the impact of stress reduction on blood pressure in adolescents by the TM program | 15-min TM sessions, twice/day for 4 mo | Beneficial impact of the TM program in youth at risk of the development of hypertension |
| Barnes et al, 2003 (RCT)26 | 45 | 15–18 | Determine the effect of stress reduction via the TM program on school rule infractions in adolescents | 15-min TM sessions, twice/day for 4 mo | TM program conducted in the school setting has a beneficial effect on absenteeism, rule infractions, and suspension rates |
| Yoga | |||||
| Hagins et al, 2013 (RCT)27 | 30 | 10–11 | Effects of yoga on physiologic response to behavioral stressor tasks | 50 min yoga, 3 times/wk for 15 wk | No significant differences in physiologic responses to behavioral stressors between groups |
| Telles et al, 2013 (RCT)28 | 98 | 8–13 | Effects of yoga on physical fitness, cognitive performance, self-esteem | 45 min yoga, 5 d/wk for 3 mo | Social self-esteem higher in control versus yoga group, whereas general and parental self-esteem improved |
| Khalsa et al, 2012 (RCT)29 | 121 | 15–19 | Evaluate potential mental health benefits of yoga for adolescents in secondary school | 30–40 min yoga, 2–3 times/wk for 11 wk | Measures of anger, resilience and fatigue/inertia significantly improved |
| Nidhi et al, 2012 (RCT)30 | 72 | 15–18 | Efficacy of yoga on glucose metabolism and blood lipid values in adolescent girls with PCOS | 60 min yoga, 7 d/wk for 12 wk | Fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance were significantly improved |
| White, 2012 (RCT)31 | 155 | 8–11 | Efficacy of yoga to reduce perceived stress, enhance coping abilities, self-esteem, and self-regulation | 60 min yoga, 1 d/wk for 8 wk, as well as 10 min yoga homework 6 d/wk | Self-esteem and self-regulation increased in both groups, whereas the yoga group reported greater appraisal of stress and greater frequency of coping |
| Mendelson et al, 2010 (RCT)32 | 97 | 9.7 and 10.6 (mean) | Improve adjustment among chronically stressed and disadvantaged youth | 45 min yoga, 4 d/wk for 12 wk | Significant improvement in the RSQ Involuntary Engagement Scale and component subscales for rumination, intrusive thoughts, and emotional arousal |
| Study, year (design) . | Sample Size, N . | Age, y . | Study Goal . | Intervention . | Outcomes . |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biofeedback | |||||
| Knox et al, 2011 (clinical trial)5 | 24 | 9–17 | Examined changes in anxiety and depression | Heart rate variability biofeedback based on a session-by-session protocol | Biofeedback-assisted relaxation training can be useful in decreasing anxiety and depressive symptoms |
| Palermo et al, 2010 (meta-analysis)6 | 1247 (25 studies) | 9–17 | Quantify the effects of psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain in youth | Cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, and biofeedback | Omnibus cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation therapy, and biofeedback all produced significant and positive effects on pain reduction |
| Monastra et al, 2005 (review)7 | N/A | 6–19 | Effects of EEG biofeedback on ADHD | EEG biofeedback | EEG biofeedback was determined to be “probably efficacious” for the treatment of ADHD |
| Eccleston et al, 2002 (systematic review)8 | 808 | 6–18 | Efficacy of psychological therapy of children and adolescents with chronic pain | Variety of biofeedback modalities | Treatments examined are effective in reducing the severity and frequency of chronic pain |
| Clinical hypnosis | |||||
| Rutten et al, 2013 (systematic review)9 | 108 | 5–18 | Assess efficacy of HT in pediatric patients with FAP and IBS | Gut-directed HT | Therapeutic effects of HT seem superior to standard medical care in children with FAP or IBS |
| Accardi and Milling, 2009 (systematic review)10 | 528 | 3–19 | Effectiveness of hypnosis in reducing procedure-related pain | Hypnosis | Hypnosis was more effective than standard medical care or control at relieving pain in children during medical procedures |
| Vlieger et al, 2007 (RCT)11 | 53 | 8–18 | Effectiveness of hypnosis for FAP and IBS | 6 sessions of 50 min over a 3-mo period of gut-directed HT | Gut-directed HT is highly effective in the treatment of children with longstanding FAP or IBS |
| Richardson et al, 2006 (systematic review)12 | 313 | 3–18 | Effectiveness of hypnosis for procedure-related pain and distress in pediatric patients with cancer | Hypnosis | Hypnosis has the potential to reduce procedure-related pain and distress in pediatric patients with cancer |
| Butler et al, 2005 (RCT)13 | 44 | 4–15 | Examine whether hypnotic relaxation could reduce distress for children who undergo VCUG | Hypnosis | Results indicate significant benefits for the hypnosis group |
| Calipel et al, 2005 (RCT)14 | 50 | 2–11 | Efficacy of hypnosis on anxiety and perioperative behavioral disorders | Hypnosis | Hypnosis alleviates preoperative anxiety |
| Guided imagery | |||||
| Weigensberg et al, 2014 (RCT)15 | 35 | 14–17 | Determine the effects of the mind-body modality of IGI in obese Latino adolescents | 12 weekly sessions of a lifestyle education plus IGI program | The IGI group showed significant reductions in leisure sedentary behavior and increases in moderate physical activity |
| van Tilburg et al, 2009 (pilot study)16 | 34 | 6–15 | Test a home-based, guided imagery treatment protocol using audio and video recordings | 2-mo guided imagery treatment | Guided imagery treatment plus medical care was superior to standard medical care only for the treatment of abdominal pain |
| Weydert et al, 2006 (RCT)17 | 22 | 5–18 | Evaluated the therapeutic effect of guided imagery for children with recurrent abdominal pain | 4 weekly sessions of guided imagery with progressive muscle relaxation | Significantly greater decrease in the number of days with pain |
| Meditation and MBSR | |||||
| Britton et al, 2014 (RCT, pilot)18 | 101 | 11.7 (mean) | Effects of a nonelective, classroom-based, teacher-implemented, mindfulness meditation intervention on standard clinical measures of mental health and affect | 6-wk program with daily mindfulness meditation practice | Both control and intervention groups decreased significantly on clinical syndrome subscales and affect but did not differ in the extent of their improvements |
| Sibinga et al, 2014 (RCT)19 | 43 | 13–21 | Explore the specific effects of MBSR for urban youth | 8 weekly 2-h MBSR sessions and a 3-h retreat | MBSR did not result in statistically significant differences in self-reported survey outcomes of interest but was associated with qualitative outcomes of increased calm, conflict avoidance, self-awareness, and self-regulation for urban youth |
| Sibinga et al, 2013 (RCT)20 | 41 | 11–14 | Effects of a school-based MBSR program for young urban males | 12-session programs of MBSR | Results provide cautious support that MBSR enhances self-regulatory processes for urban male youth, including improved psychological symptoms and enhanced coping |
| Sibinga et al, 201621 (RCT) | 300 | 12 (mean) | Ameliorate the negative effects of stress and trauma among low-income, minority, middle-school public school students | 12-wk program | MBSR students had significantly lower levels of somatization, depression, negative affect, negative coping, rumination, self-hostility, and posttraumatic symptom severity |
| Barnes et al, 2012 (RCT)22 | 62 | 15–17 | Impact of TM on LVM in African-American youth at increased risk of development of cardiovascular disease | 15-min TM sessions twice/day for 4 mo | TM decreased LVM index in prehypertensive African-American adolescents |
| Wright et al, 2011 (RCT)19 | 121 | 14–15 | Impact on ABP in African-American patients at increased risk of development of essential hypertension | BAM each weekday, 10-min sessions for 3 mo | BAM participants showed significant reductions in self-reported hostility and 24-h systolic ABP |
| Flook et al 2010 (RCT)23 | 64 | 7–9 | Evaluate school-based program of MAPs | 30-min MAPs, twice/week for 8 wk | Stronger effect of MAPs on children with executive function difficulties |
| Biegel et al 2009 (RCT)24 | 102 | 14–18 | Assess the effect of the MBSR program for adolescents with heterogeneous diagnoses in an outpatient psychiatric facility | 8 weekly MBSR classes, meeting 2 h/wk | MBSR may be a beneficial adjunct to outpatient mental health treatment of adolescents |
| Barnes et al, 2004 (RCT)25 | 100 | 15–17 | Determine the impact of stress reduction on blood pressure in adolescents by the TM program | 15-min TM sessions, twice/day for 4 mo | Beneficial impact of the TM program in youth at risk of the development of hypertension |
| Barnes et al, 2003 (RCT)26 | 45 | 15–18 | Determine the effect of stress reduction via the TM program on school rule infractions in adolescents | 15-min TM sessions, twice/day for 4 mo | TM program conducted in the school setting has a beneficial effect on absenteeism, rule infractions, and suspension rates |
| Yoga | |||||
| Hagins et al, 2013 (RCT)27 | 30 | 10–11 | Effects of yoga on physiologic response to behavioral stressor tasks | 50 min yoga, 3 times/wk for 15 wk | No significant differences in physiologic responses to behavioral stressors between groups |
| Telles et al, 2013 (RCT)28 | 98 | 8–13 | Effects of yoga on physical fitness, cognitive performance, self-esteem | 45 min yoga, 5 d/wk for 3 mo | Social self-esteem higher in control versus yoga group, whereas general and parental self-esteem improved |
| Khalsa et al, 2012 (RCT)29 | 121 | 15–19 | Evaluate potential mental health benefits of yoga for adolescents in secondary school | 30–40 min yoga, 2–3 times/wk for 11 wk | Measures of anger, resilience and fatigue/inertia significantly improved |
| Nidhi et al, 2012 (RCT)30 | 72 | 15–18 | Efficacy of yoga on glucose metabolism and blood lipid values in adolescent girls with PCOS | 60 min yoga, 7 d/wk for 12 wk | Fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance were significantly improved |
| White, 2012 (RCT)31 | 155 | 8–11 | Efficacy of yoga to reduce perceived stress, enhance coping abilities, self-esteem, and self-regulation | 60 min yoga, 1 d/wk for 8 wk, as well as 10 min yoga homework 6 d/wk | Self-esteem and self-regulation increased in both groups, whereas the yoga group reported greater appraisal of stress and greater frequency of coping |
| Mendelson et al, 2010 (RCT)32 | 97 | 9.7 and 10.6 (mean) | Improve adjustment among chronically stressed and disadvantaged youth | 45 min yoga, 4 d/wk for 12 wk | Significant improvement in the RSQ Involuntary Engagement Scale and component subscales for rumination, intrusive thoughts, and emotional arousal |
ABP, ambulatory blood pressure; ADHD, attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder; BAM, breathing awareness meditation; HT, hypnotherapy; IGI, Interactive Guided Imagery; LVM, left ventricular mass; MAP, mindful awareness practice; N/A, not available; PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome; RSQ, Responses to Stress Questionnaire; VCUG, voiding cystourethrography.