SpringerLink
Log in

A Telehealth Parent-Mediated Mindfulness-Based Health Wellness Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

  • ORIGINAL PAPER
  • Published:
Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face difficulties in making lifestyle changes because of lack of community and professional awareness and specialist services. Some services, such as for health wellness, are even more difficult for people with IDD to acquire if they live in remote areas or they cannot access specialist services in their community. Telehealth is beginning to be used to fill this service need. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of providing telehealth training to parents on a mindfulness-based health wellness (MBHW) program that they then taught their children to implement. Thirty-two overweight or obese adolescents and young adults were taught a five-component MBHW program, and its effects on their body weight were assessed within a changing criterion design. The intervention included physical exercise, healthy eating and nutrition, mindful eating, mindful response to thoughts of hunger, and a mindfulness practice to control the urge to eat. The 30 participants who successfully completed the whole program had an average weight of 164.2 lb at baseline (pre-intervention), lost an average of 38.27 lb by the end of intervention, and maintained their target weight for four consecutive years at a mean weight of 127.37 lb. On average, they reduced their body mass index (BMI) from a mean of 29.54 at entry into the program to 22.80 by the end of intervention, and maintained their BMI at a mean of 23.03 during the 4-year follow-up. In addition, the participants’ social validity ratings showed great satisfaction with the program in meeting their desired weight goals, and they unanimously indicated that they would recommend the program to their peers. The data suggest that the MBHW program was effective with the participants and further evaluation using a randomized controlled trial appears warranted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (United Kingdom)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, L. L., Humphries, K., McDermott, S., Marks, B., Sisarak, J., & Larson, S. (2013). The state of the science of health and wellness for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 51(5), 385–398.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, D. H., Nock, M., & Hersen, M. (2009). Single-case experimental designs (3rd ed.). New York: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertapelli, F., Pitetti, K., Agiovlasitis, S., & Guerra-Junior, G. (2016). Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents with Down syndrome-prevalence, determinants, consequences, and interventions: a literature review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 57, 181–192.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bertoli, S., Spadafranca, A., Merati, G., Testolin, G., Veicsteinas, A., & Battezzati, A. (2008). Nutritional counseling in disabled people: effects on dietary patterns, body composition and cardiovascular risk factors. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 44, 149–158.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beshara, M., Hutchinson, A. D., & Wilson, C. (2013). Does mindfulness matter? Everyday mindfulness, mindful eating and self-reported serving size of energy dense foods among a sample of South Australian adults. Appetite, 67, 25–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Britt, E., & Singh, N. N. (1985). Reduction of rapid eating by normal adults. Behavior Modification, 9, 116–125.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, M. J., Craven, M. J., & Chadwick, D. D. (2005). Fighting fit? An evaluation of health practitioner input to improve healthy living and reduce obesity for adults with learning disabilities. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 9, 131–144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, S. C. (2014). Annual report of the Chief Medical Officer 2013, public mental health priorities: investing in the evidence. London: Department of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doody, C. M., & Doody, O. (2012). Health promotion for people with intellectual disability and obesity. British Journal of Nursing, 21(8), 460–465.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Durgananda, S. (2002). The heart of meditation: pathways to a deeper experience. South Fallsburg, NY: Syda Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, E. (1986). Behavioral weight reduction program for mentally retarded adult females. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 62, 359–362.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fox, R. A., Haniotes, H., & Rotatori, A. (1984). A streamlined weight loss program for moderately retarded adults in a sheltered workshop setting. Applied Research in Mental Retardation, 5, 69–79.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Franz, M. J., VanWormer, J. J., Crain, A. L., Boucher, J. L., Histon, T., Caplan, W., et al. (2007). Weight-loss outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of weight-loss clinical trials with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(10), 1755–1767.

  • Hassan, Y., Head, V., Jacob, D., Bachman, M. O., Diu, S., & Ford, J. (2016). Lifestyle interventions for weight loss in adults with severe obesity: a systematic review. Clinical Obesity, 6, 395–403.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, G., Tuomilehto, J., Silventoinen, K., Barengo, N. C., Peltonen, M., & Jousilahti, P. (2005). The effects of physical activity and body mass index on cardiovascular, cancer and all cause mortality among 47 212 middle-aged Finnish men and women. International Journal of Obesity, 29, 894–902.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, C. H., Wang, W., Donatoni, L., & Meier, B. P. (2014). Mindful eating: trait and state mindfulness predict healthier eating behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 68, 107–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karlan, G. R., & Rusch, F. R. (1982). Correspondence between saying and doing: some thoughts on defining correspondence and future directions for application. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 15(1), 151–162.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Koene, R. J., Prizment, A. E., Blaes, A., & Konety, S. H. (2016). Shared risk factors in cardiovascular disease and cancer. Circulation, 133, 1104–1114.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, R., Koegel, L., Ashbaugh, K., Regester, A., Ence, W., & Smith, W. (2010). Physical exercise and individuals with autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 4, 565–576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luiselli, J. K. (2016). Health and wellness. In N. N. Singh (Ed.), Handbook of evidenced-based practices in intellectual and developmental disabilities (pp. 907–922). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luiselli, J. K. (2017). Exercise, leisure, and physical wellbeing. In K. A. Shogren, M. L. Wehmeyer, & N. N. Singh (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology in intellectual and developmental disabilities (pp. 173–188). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • McCarran, M. S., & Andrasik, F. (1990). Behavioral weight-loss for multiply handicapped adults: assessing caretaker involvement and measures of behavior change. Addictive Behavior, 15, 13–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melville, C. A., Cooper, S. A., Morrison, J., & Williamson, L. A. (2008). The prevalence and determinants of obesity in adults with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21, 425–437.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melville, C. A., Boyle, S., Miller, S., Macmillan, S., Penpraze, V., Pert, C., et al. (2011). An open study of the effectiveness of a multi-component weight-loss intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity. British Journal of Nutrition, 105, 1553–1562.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mendonca, G. V., Pereira, F. D., & Fernhall, B. (2011). Effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise training in adults with and without Down syndrome. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 92, 37–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulovic, J., Vanhelst, J., Salleron, J., Marcellini, A., Compte, R., Fardy, P. S., & Bui-Xuan, G. (2014). Overweight in intellectually-disabled population: physical, behavioral and psychological characteristics. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35, 153–161.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, J. (2003). Exercise and cardiovascular health. Circulation, 107, e2–e5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nahum-Shani, I., Smith, S. N., Spring, B. J., Collins, L. M., Witkiewitz, K., Tewari, A., & Murphy, S. A. (2016). Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) in mobile health: key components and design principles for ongoing health support. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 1–17.

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLB), and North American association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO). (2000). The practical guide: identification, evaluation, and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Bethesda, MD: Author (NIH Publication # 00–4084).

  • O’Reilly, G. A., Cook, L., Spruijt-Metz, D., & Black, D. S. (2014). Mindfulness-based interventions for obesity-related eating behaviors: a literature review. Obesity Review, 15(6), 453–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, K. L., & Emery, C. F. (2015). Mindfulness and weight loss: a systematic review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 77(1), 59–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Onken, L. S., Carroll, K. M., Shoham, V., Cuthbert, B. N., & Riddle, M. (2014). Reenvisioning clinical science: unifying the discipline to improve the public health. Clinical Psychological Science, 2(1), 22–34.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pandita, S. U. (2006). The state of mind called beautiful. Boston, MA: Wisdom.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pew Research Center. (2017). Mobile fact sheet. Retrieved December 7, 2017, from http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheet/mobile/

  • Rounsaville, B. J., Carroll, K. M., & Onken, L. S. (2001). A stage model of behavioral therapies research: getting started and moving on from stage 1. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 8(2), 133–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sailer, A. B., Miltenberger, R. G., Johnson, B., Zetocha, K., Egemo, K., & Hegstad, H. (2006). Evaluation of a weight loss treatment program for individuals with mild mental retardation. Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 28, 15–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saunders, R. R., Saunders, M. D., Donnelly, J. E., Smith, B. K., Sullivan, D. K., Guilford, B., & Rondon, M. F. (2011). Evaluation of an approach to weight loss in adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 49, 103–112.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, H. M. (2003). Dr. Shapiro’s picture perfect weight loss: the visual program for permanent weight loss. New York: Warner Books, Inc..

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, N. N., & Jackman, M. M. (2017). Teaching mindfulness to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers. In D. McCown, D. K. Reibel, & M. S. Micozzi (Eds.), Resources for teaching mindfulness: a cross-cultural and international handbook (pp. 287–305). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, N. N., Lancioni, G. E., Singh, A. N., Winton, A. S. W., Singh, J., McAleavey, K. M., & Adkins, A. D. (2008a). A mindfulness-based health wellness program for an adolescent with Prader-Willi syndrome. Behavior Modification, 32, 167–181.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, N. N., Lancioni, G. E., Singh, A. N., Winton, A. S. W., Singh, J., McAleavey, K. M., et al. (2008b). A mindfulness-based health wellness program for managing obesity. Clinical Case Studies, 7, 327–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, N. N., Lancioni, G. E., Singh, A. N. A., Winton, A. S. W., Singh, A. D. A., & Singh, J. (2011). A mindfulness-based health wellness program for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 4, 90–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, N. N., Lancioni, G. E., McPherson, C. L., Jackman, M. M., & Kim, E. (2017). Mindfulness-based applications for health promotion in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 48, 508–526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spanos, D., Melville, C. A., & Hankey, C. R. (2013). Weight management interventions in adults with intellectual disabilities and obesity: a systematic review of the evidence. Nutrition Journal, 12, 132.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wacker, D. P., Schieltz, K. M., Suess, A. N., Romani, P. W., Padilla Dalmau, Y. C., Kopelman, T. G., et al. (2016). Telehealth. In N. N. Singh (Ed.), Handbook of evidence-based practices in intellectual and developmental disabilities (pp. 585–613). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitlock, G., Lewington, S., Sherliker, P., Clarke, R., Emberson, J., Halsey, J., et al. (2009). Body-mass index and cause-specific mortality in 900,000 adults: collaborative analyses of 57 prospective studies. Lancet, 373, 1083–1096.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, C. L., Lin, J. D., Hu, J., Yen, C. F., Yen, C. T., Chou, Y. L., & Wu, P. H. (2010). The effectiveness of healthy physical fitness programs on people with intellectual disabilities living in a disability institution: six-month short-term effect. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 31, 713–717.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Some of the data included in this paper were first presented at the ATAD First International Conference: Assistive Technology and Disabilities, October 4–6, 2017, Salesian Pontifical University, Piazza dell’Ateneo Salesiano, 1 00139 Rome Italy. The first author acknowledges support of release time by the WellStar School of Nursing, Kennesaw State University, for this presentation.

Funding

Preparation of this article was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant (NRF-2010-361 A00008) funded by the Korean Government (MEST).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. WellStar School of Nursing, Kennesaw State University, 520 Parliament Garden Way, MD 4102, Kennesaw, GA, 30144, USA

    Rachel E. Myers

  2. Department of Psychology, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, 44691, USA

    Bryan T. Karazsia

  3. Institute of Mind Humanities, Wonkwang University, Iksan, South Korea

    Eun** Kim

  4. Little Lotus Therapy and Consulting, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA

    Monica M. Jackman

  5. McPherson Therapy and Consulting, Greenville, KY, USA

    Carrie L. McPherson

  6. Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh

Authors
  1. Rachel E. Myers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bryan T. Karazsia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Eun** Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Monica M. Jackman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Carrie L. McPherson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Nirbhay N. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachel E. Myers.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Myers, R.E., Karazsia, B.T., Kim, E. et al. A Telehealth Parent-Mediated Mindfulness-Based Health Wellness Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Adv Neurodev Disord 2, 241–252 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-018-0060-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-018-0060-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation