Part 3A: Critical Appraisal of Research
Conduct a critical appraisal of the four peer-reviewed articles you selected by completing the Evaluation Table within the Critical Appraisal Tool Worksheet Template. Choose a total of four peer- reviewed articles that you selected related to your clinical topic of interest in Module 2 and Module 3. ( Worksheet attached)
Article #1Zhou, X., Guo, J., Lu, G., Chen, C., Xie, Z., Liu, J., & Zhang, C. (2020). Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on anxiety symptoms in young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 289, 113002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113002
Article #2 Porter, B., Oyanadel, C., Sáez-Delgado, F., Andaur, A., & Peñate, W. (2022). Systematic review of mindfulness-based interventions in child-adolescent population: A developmental perspective. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 12(8), 1220–1243. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe12080085
Article #3 Cohen, Z. P., Cosgrove, K. T., Akeman, E., Coffey, S., Teague, K., Hays-Grudo, J., Paulus, M. P., Aupperle, R. L., & Kirlic, N. (2021). The effect of a mindfulness-based stress intervention on neurobiological and symptom measures in adolescents with early life stress: a randomized feasibility study. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03295-1
Article #4
Peter, A., Srivastava, R., Agarwal, A., & Singh, A. P. (2022). The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on anxiety and resilience of the school-going early adolescents with anxiety. Journal of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 18(2), 176–185. https://doi.org/10.1177/09731342221127959
Part 3B: Critical Appraisal of Research
Based on your appraisal in a 1-2-page critical appraisal, suggest a best practice that emerges from the research you reviewed. Briefly explain the best practice, justifying your proposal with APA citations of the research.
Critical Appraisal of Research Articles:
Article #1: Zhou et al., 2020 This article is a systematic review and meta-analysis that examines the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on anxiety symptoms in young people. The study is comprehensive and well-structured, with a clear methodology for selecting and analyzing studies. It includes a large sample size, and the results show a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms in young people who participated in mindfulness-based stress reduction programs.
Article #2: Porter et al., 2022 This systematic review takes a developmental perspective, focusing on mindfulness-based interventions in child-adolescent populations. The study reviews a variety of interventions and offers a detailed account of their effectiveness. It highlights the importance of considering developmental stages when implementing mindfulness-based interventions and suggests that these programs can have a positive impact on the mental well-being of children and adolescents.
Article #3: Cohen et al., 2021 This randomized feasibility study explores the effect of a mindfulness-based stress intervention on neurobiological and symptom measures in adolescents with early life stress. While the sample size is relatively small, the study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of mindfulness interventions for adolescents with a history of early life stress. The research suggests that such interventions may be effective in reducing symptoms related to stress and improving neurobiological markers associated with stress response.
Article #4: Peter et al., 2022 This study examines the impact of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on anxiety and resilience in school-going early adolescents with anxiety. It demonstrates that mindfulness-based interventions can lead to significant reductions in anxiety levels and an increase in resilience among this population. The research underscores the potential of mindfulness-based approaches in schools to help students cope with anxiety and build resilience.
Emerging Best Practice: Based on the critical appraisal of the research articles, it is clear that mindfulness-based interventions hold promise for improving the mental well-being of children and adolescents. Therefore, a best practice that emerges from this research is the integration of mindfulness-based programs in schools as part of a comprehensive mental health strategy. This approach aligns with the findings of the studies, which consistently show the positive impact of mindfulness interventions on anxiety reduction and the promotion of resilience in young individuals (Zhou et al., 2020; Porter et al., 2022; Cohen et al., 2021; Peter et al., 2022).
By introducing mindfulness practices in educational settings, schools can contribute to the overall mental well-being of their students. These programs can be incorporated into the curriculum or offered as extracurricular activities. Teachers and school staff can be trained to facilitate mindfulness sessions, and students can learn valuable techniques for stress management and emotional regulation. The research suggests that such an approach may not only reduce anxiety but also enhance the resilience of students, providing them with essential skills for navigating the challenges of adolescence.
In conclusion, the best practice emerging from the critical appraisal of the research articles is to implement mindfulness-based interventions in schools to support the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.