Mindfulness for adults with ASD reduces stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. #16

I am a science-loving mom raising a 4-year-old son (ASD) and a 2-year-old daughter. My dream has come true, and I am now able to offer yoga at a developmental support facility.

Thank you for visiting.😊

Yoga and meditationanddevelopmental disabilitiesresearch are featured here.

Introduction

As a yoga and meditation instructor who loves researching academic papers, I am a science-loving mom whosummarizes research papers on yoga, meditation, and developmental disabilities in an easy-to-understand wayfor you.

In Japan, the effects of yoga and meditation on developmental disabilities are still only introduced to a limited extent, with general views such as“it is good for mental stability.”

However, when reading overseas literature, it is suggested thatit has a wide range of effects on the specific challenges of ASD and ADHD.

I will introduce each piece of literature one by one, aiming to create a place that acts as alibrary of literature on yoga and developmental disabilities.

To search for literature, click here ▼

◆When adults with ASD practice mindfulness...

Now, onto the main topic. Today, I am introducing a study conducted in Sweden (published in 2023).

① Participants

50 adults with autism without intellectual disabilities (average age 36.2)

② What was done?

They took an MBSR course, and its effects were examined.

In this study, they focused specifically on:

・Cultivating non-judgmental awareness
・Cultivating mindful awareness
・Cultivating new coping skills for stress

It is said that they worked on these areas.

③ What are the results?

• Reduction in stress symptoms (p < 0.001; d = 0.51)

• Improvement in stress coping skills (p = 0.017; d = 0.43)

• Reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression

*However, no changes were observed in life satisfaction or acceptance of an autism diagnosis.

◆ What is MBSR?

MBSR, which was addressed in this study, is something I have also studied through the book ▼.

It excludes all religious aspects such as yoga and meditation, and is established as an 8-week treatment program. In the United States, it is utilized in a wide range of fields including medicine, education, business, and sports.

【Contents of MBSR】

Over 8 weeks, you will learn the following:

• Mindfulness meditation → Meditation that focuses on breathing and bodily sensations, concentrating on the present moment
  

• Body scan
  → An exercise that directs awareness to each part of the body and observes the sensations

• Mindfulness yoga
  → Yoga that combines breathing and movement to release tension in the mind and body

• Daily practice
  → Methods for practicing mindfulness in daily life

【Examples of MBSR application】

• Medical field

  • Alleviation of symptoms such as chronic pain, stress, anxiety, and depression

  • Mental support for cancer patients

  • Rehabilitation for heart disease patients

• Education Sector

  • Reducing student stress and improving concentration

  • Reducing teacher stress and improving relationships with students

• Business Sector

  • Reducing employee stress and improving productivity

  • Leadership training

• Other

  • Mental training for athletes

  • Rehabilitation programs for inmates in prisons

These are just some of the many areas where its effectiveness and utility have been demonstrated, and it is the program that sparked the mindfulness boom in the United States.

◆ Can MBSR be a treatment strategy for ASD?

This paper identifies two challenges for people with ASD:

・They experience more stress in daily life
・They tend to have lower stress-coping abilities

It lists these two points.

It concluded that because practicing MBSR has the potential to resolve these issues, it could be utilized as a treatment.

◆ A word from Rikejo Mama

Even for those who might feel resistant when they hear the word "yoga," I feel that knowing it is a program developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School makes it easier to approach, so I hope MBSR becomes more easily accessible in Japan as well.

Also, it is understandable that people with ASD tend to experience more stress than those around them and have lower stress-coping abilities.

Once again, I felt that providing skills to cope with stress from a young age as part of developmental support is an important skill that will be useful throughout the child's life.

It is steady work, but I would like to continue providing yoga therapy at developmental support facilities.

So, I introduce evidence for “Developmental Disorders x Yoga/Meditation” every week. To look for other papers, click here ▼

I also take on work such as article writing based on these research results.

If you are interested, please take a look here ▼

If you would like to support this activity, I would be grateful if you could provide support through a "tip," subscribing to Magazine Wagan, or by requesting work🙇‍♀️

Once again,

I sincerely hope this summary is helpful.
Thank you for your support.

(← Return to Rikejo Mama's Table of Contents )

📖 The literature introduced is here ▼

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