Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in the Treatment of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Systematic Review of Interventional Studies

Abstract

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a lower quality of life (QoL) than neurotypical adults and a higher risk of psychiatric comorbidities. We reviewed the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in the treatment of adults with ASD. Data were collected from 6 eligible interventional studies (4 adequate quality, 2 weak quality; 245 total participants). The study quality and certainty of findings were assessed using Evaluative Method for Determining Evidence-Based Practices in Autism and GRADE framework. MBSR was effective in all outcomes: ASD symptoms (n = 4, low certainty), QoL (n = 5, low certainty), symptoms of anxiety and depression (n = 4, low and moderate certainty, respectively). MBSR shows promise for improving QoL, reducing ASD symptoms and alleviating psychiatric comorbidities in adults with ASD.