Mapping the Evidence Base: A Scoping Review of Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities and Their Caregivers

Background and Purpose

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their caregivers experience disproportionately high rates of emotional and social challenges and often face barriers to accessing appropriate, evidence-based interventions. Among other therapeutic approaches, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated effectiveness in improving emotional regulation, stress, anxiety and wellbeing in the last two decades, yet their applicability to provide support to individuals with I/DD, and their caregivers remains less researched. Social workers are increasingly called to implement accessible, strengths-based interventions, but the current evidence for MBIs for this population group and their caregivers is unclear. The purpose of this scoping review is to systematically map the extent, range, and characteristics of research on MBIs for individuals with I/DD and their caregivers, and to identify gaps to inform future research, policy, and practice.

Methods

This review followed the six stage process of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, Social Work Abstracts and Science Direct were searched to identify peer-reviewed studies examining the application of MBIs among persons with I/DD and their caregivers. Inclusion criteria specified studies that used MBIs in the specified population group, published in English between 2000-2025. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened using MeSH terms and relevant keywords. Selection of studies was followed by charting of the data and a narrative description of the extracted findings to map trends and gaps in literature.

Findings

A total of 14 English language peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria. Six main MBIs were identified: such as relaxed breathing, ‘soles of feet’ meditation, ‘raisin’ exercise, awareness of the present moment, awareness of impermanence and non-self, among others. The interventions yielded mostly positive outcomes, however some variations were also observed. The existing literature is limited but grew considerably in the last decade, with majority of studies utilizing small sample sizes and quasi-experimental or single case designs, with few randomized controlled trials. MBIs varied in format, duration, content, and adaptation for cognitive and communication needs. Most studies reported improved wellbeing, emotional regulation, stress and anxiety reduction among the participants. However, significant gaps persist, including lack of culturally responsive adaptations, inconsistent use of standardized outcome measures, and limited representation of individuals with moderate to severe I/DD.

Conclusions and Implications

This scoping review highlights both the promise and limitations of MBIs for individuals with I/DD and their caregivers. It helped in reducing stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, aggressive behavior, and an improvement in overall quality of life. While findings indicate that MBIs are likely to enhance the well-being of persons with I/DD and their caregivers, the evidence base remains underdeveloped and methodologically limited. For social work practice, MBIs represent a potentially accessible and useful strengths-based approach. Future research should prioritize cultural responsiveness and inclusion of individuals across the full spectrum of I/DD to better inform policy and practice. The synchronicity between MBIs as physical and somatic exercises, and mindfulness as a Buddhist worldview and philosophy of conduct needs to be explicitly connected.