Online Mindfulness Training for Adolescents with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome - Name and Address: innovation Research & Training, 5316 Highgate Drive, Suite 121, Durham, NC 27713 Principal Investigator: Alison Parker, PhD, Research Scientist II Agency: National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, CFDA Number (93.433), SBIR Phase II Title: Online mindfulness training for adolescents with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome Technical Abstract: The purpose of the grant proposal is to continue the development of and evaluate the effectiveness of the Aware Program, an online mindfulness training program for adolescents with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). To date, there are very few non-pharmacological, behavioral interventions that have been developed and evaluated specifically for adolescents with 22q11DS. Thus, there is a need for effective interventions that are tailored for this population to improve their health and well-being, and potentially prevent severe psychiatric symptoms in the future. Practicing mindfulness on a daily basis is one possible avenue to build self-regulatory abilities and has been associated with beneficial outcomes for children and adolescents. Currently, there are no online mindfulness interventions available for youth with 22q11DS. Therefore, the aim of the proposed project is to fill this gap by developing and evaluating the efficacy of an innovative and developmentally-appropriate mindfulness program for youth with 22q11DS. As part of the Aware Program, adolescents will complete multiple units in which they will learn about, practice, and apply various mindfulness skills to their everyday lives. In Year 1 of this project, the program will be revised and enhanced based on findings from the Phase I project and new resources (mobile messaging system and monitoring dashboard for parents) will be developed. The development process will be iterative; integrating feedback from parents and youth as part of interviews with parent-youth pairs and a Parent Advisory Panel as well as consultation with expert consultants. The program will be examined for Section 508 compliance and optimized for computer, tablets, and mobile devices. In Year 2 of this project, an evaluation study will be conducted with adolescents with 22q11DS and one of their parents to evaluate the impact of the Aware Program on adolescents’ emotion management, emotion regulation, self-control, coping, and anxiety. Summary of results and potential commercial applications: At the end of the project, it is anticipated that youth with 22q11DS will be able to easily use the online mindfulness program, provide positive consumer satisfaction ratings for the program, and experience increases in their self-regulation abilities. The expect final product will be a fully-functioning Section 508 compliant, online mindfulness program, optimized for computer, tablets, and mobile devices and comprised of program lessons for teens, parent/caregiver guide, mobile messaging system, and parent monitoring dashboard. The results of this project have the potential to provide families of adolescents with 22q11DS, clinics and organizations that support, advocate, and work with adolescents, schools, pediatricians, psychologists, or other health providers with an evidence-based, practically applicable, and developmentally-appropriate program that teaches important adaptive coping skills that can used in the everyday lives of adolescents with 22q11DS.
