Mindfulness-Based ADHD Treatment for Children: a Feasibility Study

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 11% of American children. ADHD is a source of considerable psychosocial, educational, and neurocognitive impairment. It is co-morbid with multiple psychiatric disorders and poses an economic burden. Pharmacotherapy is often the first-line treatment for children with ADHD, but such medications are associated with adverse effects, including insomnia, loss of appetite, headaches, stomachaches, tics, moodiness, and irritability. Further, concerns about substance misuse and diversion, as well as parental preference, can limit the use and utility of medications. These limitations underscore the urgency of developing behavioral interventions that do not pose such concerns. At this time, however, behavioral treatments for ADHD are generally less effective than pharmacotherapy, emphasizing the need for better non-pharmacologic interventions.

Mindfulness-defined here as nonjudgmentally paying attention to the present moment-is a promising behavioral approach to ADHD treatment, as evidence suggests that mindfulness improves attention in both healthy adults, and those with ADHD. Mindfulness also improves neurocognitive outcomes in children and adolescents, including executive function and attention, suggesting that mindfulness may be an effective treatment for ADHD in young persons.

This is a feasibility study of a novel intervention: Mindfulness-Based ADHD Treatment for Children (MBAT-C). MBAT-C is derived from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a well-known and extensively-studied mindfulness intervention. Unlike all other mindfulness-based interventions, however, MBAT-C is tailored to the needs, abilities, and vulnerabilities of children with ADHD through the use of age-appropriate class length, homework assignments, contemplative practices, and discussion topics. Specifically, MBAT-C includes 16 twice-weekly 30-minute sessions over 8 weeks. Each session includes two brief meditations, discussion, an exercise, and homework.

In this study, 45 children ages 7-13 with ADHD will be randomized into one of three treatment groups: MBAT-C, medication (MED), or a combined intervention (COM).

The aims of the study are as follows:

Aim 1: Evaluate feasibility of MBAT-C

Aim 2. Measure within-group change from pre- to post-treatment on ADHD-relevant outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• child of any sex/gender ages 7-13;
• fulfills the Diagnostic Statistical Manual -5 criteria for ADHD (inattentive, hyperactive, or combined);
• speaks English;
• understands the assent form and provides informed assent;
• has parents who understand the consent form and provide informed consent;
• can commit to the full length of the protocol;
• is willing to undergo a wash-out period if already on ADHD medications;
• is willing to be randomized to treatment condition.

Exclusion criteria

include:

• physical conditions that may preclude participation;
• any conditions contraindicated for ADHD medications, or potential participants taking monoamine-oxidase inhibitors;
• pregnancy.