A Family Systems Perspective on Mind–Body Interventions in Families with Autistic Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: Autism spectrum disorder poses substantial challenges to autistic children and their families, yet existing reviews of mind–body interventions rarely adopt a family systems perspective encompassing outcomes of multiple family members and relationships. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated efficacy of mind-body interventions (e.g., mindfulness, yoga, massage, arts) on child, parent, and household outcomes in families with autistic children. Searching 16 databases from inception to April 2026, 44 randomized controlled trials (2,396 parents; 1,479 children; 36 siblings) were systematically reviewed, with 30 meta-analyzed using multilevel and single-level random-effects models with Knapp-Hartung adjustment. Mind-body interventions were associated with large improvement in parent-child relationship, moderate improvement in family quality of life and parental mindfulness, moderate reduction in parental stress and small reduction in child externalizing problems. A large reduction in child internalizing problems was also observed, though this finding should be interpreted with caution due to high heterogeneity and potential publication bias. Parent-focused interventions were associated with reductions in child externalizing problems, supporting spillover effects across family subsystems. Improvement in parent-child relationship was prominent only in dyads with preschool children. Despite substantial heterogeneity in some outcomes, this review provides the first meta-analytic evidence of the cross-system benefits of mind-body interventions.
Source: Adolescent Research Review
Institution: University of Hong Kong
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,190
OpenAlex ID: W7223235850