Improvement in resiliency factors among adolescents with neurofibromatosis who participate in a virtual mind-body group program.

PURPOSE

To examine effects of a virtual mind-body group for adolescents with neurofibromatoses (NF1 and NF2; Resilient Youth with Neurofibromatosis; RY-NF) on multiple resiliency factors against a health education attention control (Health Education for Youth with Neurofibromatosis; HE-NF) using data from a randomized controlled trial. Specifically, our research question was whether adolescents randomized to the RY-NF (versus the HE-NF) would have greater improvements in resiliency factors at post-intervention and whether these gains would be maintained at 6-month follow-up.

METHODS

Adolescents with NF (n = 51; M age 12-17) were randomly assigned to RY-NF (n = 27) or HE-NF (n = 24). Resiliency factors (mindfulness, coping, gratitude, optimism, and social support) were collected at baseline, post-intervention (88%), and 6-month follow-up (82%).

RESULTS

Participation in the RY-NF was associated with greater pre-to-post improvements in gratitude (M = 4.38; 95% CI-0.52-8.23; p = .027) and mindfulness (M= 9.41; 95% CI 4.40-14.42.; p < .001) compared to HE-NF; improvements sustained at 6 months. There were no group differences on any additional resiliency factors. However, participation in the RY-NF was associated with pre-to-post- improvements in coping (M= 9.16; 95% CI 2.93-15.39; p = .005), and social support (M= 6.79; 95% CI 1.96-11.63; p = .007); improvements sustained at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in the RY-NF resulted in sustained improvement in several resiliency factors. Promoting resiliency may help adolescents successfully navigate challenges associated with NF.