# A Pilot Investigation of a Mobile Application-Enhanced Mindfulness-Based Preventive Intervention Targeting Adolescent Conduct Problems

> **NIH NIH R34** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2024 · $240,946

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Adolescent conduct problems, such as aggression, defiance, violence, and criminality, represent a major public
health concern with substantial costs to individuals, their families, and larger society. Current evidence-based
programming addressing adolescent conduct problems is resource intensive and has limited effectiveness.
The proposed R34 study will investigate the feasibility of using a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) as a
new approach to preventing escalations in conduct problems among at-risk youth in a school setting. MBIs
have been demonstrated to support the development of effective self-control, a key risk factor underlying
adolescent conduct problems. However, MBIs have not previously been evaluated for their effectiveness in
preventing the development of serious conduct problems. Notably, previous implementations of MBIs with
adolescents have been limited by a lack of generalization of mindfulness skills in daily life, particularly during
times of stress. The proposed study will enhance an existing evidence-based MBI, Learning to BREATHE
(L2B), with a recently-developed mobile app designed to support greater generalization of skills in daily life and
times of stress. The proposed study will be completed in two primary phases, including Phase 1, a small pilot
feasibility-
focused 3-arm RCT will assign youth (n=120) to either the standard L2B intervention, L2B+App, or Skills for
Success, an active control life skills intervention. We will address four primary aims. Aim 1 will focus on refining
the
implementation (n=10) of L2B enhanced by the mobile app (i.e., L2B+App), and Phase 2, in which a
L2B+App intervention, including app usability, app functioning and features, integration with face-to-face
programming, and cultural responsiveness of the integrated app. Focus groups and facilitator feedback from
the Phase 1 pilot implementation will support refinement prior to the Phase 2 feasibility RCT. Further
refinement will be supported by additional participant focus groups and facilitator interviews in Phase 2. Aim 2
will evaluate the feasibility of research procedures in the Phase 2 3-arm RCT, including our ability to reach
recruitment, enrollment, and retention of participants, randomization procedures, and data
collection procedures acceptability, appropriateness, engagement, feasibility, and
fidelity of delivery i.e., L2B, L2B+App, and Skills for Success) with a focus on
achieving benchmarks in each area. Finally, Aim 4 involves using a mixed-methods approach to refine all
protocols, including facilitator training, intervention implementation, and research procedures, in preparation for
a subsequent fully-powered efficacy trial. Successful completion of these aims will provide critical preliminary
data required for the efficacy trial.
benchmarks in
. Aim 3 will evaluate the
of the three interventions (
Moreover, the proposed research will demonstrate the potential of app-
based strategies for enhancing de...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10972783
- **Project number:** 1R34AT012666-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** TIMOTHY F PIEHLER
- **Activity code:** R34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $240,946
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-01 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10972783

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10972783, A Pilot Investigation of a Mobile Application-Enhanced Mindfulness-Based Preventive Intervention Targeting Adolescent Conduct Problems (1R34AT012666-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10972783. Licensed CC0.

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