Using a Digital Meditation Application to Mitigate Anxiety and Sleep Problems in Children with ADHD

A 4-week pilot study of the pediatric version of the Headspace digital mindfulness application with 18 children aged 6 to 12 who have ADHD found that the intervention significantly reduced anxiety and sleep problems. Participants averaged 9.2 years old and were 78% male. Parents reported improvements on the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire from baseline to endpoint. The findings suggest that a digitally based meditation application could benefit children with ADHD who also experience anxiety or sleep difficulties.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective: ADHD affects 11% of children in the United States and is associated with significant levels of anxiety. Although the literature supports mindfulness-based interventions as a promising strategy for managing anxiety, it falls short in the feasibility of digital mindfulness interventions. Method: This study investigated the usefulness of the pediatric version of Headspace, a digital mindfulness program, for reducing stress in 18 children with ADHD. We conducted a 4-week pilot study to evaluate the Headspace digital mindfulness application for children ages 6 to 12 with ADHD. Parents completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire at baseline and endpoint. Results: Participants had an average age of 9.2 years and were 78% male. The Headspace intervention significantly reduced anxiety and sleep problems in children with ADHD. Conclusion: Children with ADHD and comorbid anxiety and/or sleep problems could benefit from a digitally based meditation application. (J. of Att. Dis. XXXX; XX(X) XX-XX)