Mindfulness and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Yingqi Gu, Yi Zhu, Kirk Warren Brown
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 21, 2021 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001388 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Executive functions Neuroimaging Neuropsychology Cognition Impulsivity Cognitive psychology Salience neuroscience Developmental psychology Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 12 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness practices engage brain circuits and networks associated with ADHD symptoms, including executive attention, sustained attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity circuits, as well as the central executive, default mode, and salience networks. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Understanding the underlying mechanisms of mindfulness has been a hot topic in recent years, not only in clinical fields but also in neuroscience. Most neuroimaging findings demonstrate that critical brain regions involved in mindfulness are responsible for cognitive functions and mental states. However, the brain is a complex system operating via multiple circuits and networks, rather than isolated brain regions solely responsible for specific functions. Mindfulness-based treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have emerged as promising adjunctive or alternative intervention approaches. We focus on four key brain circuits associated with mindfulness practices and effects on symptoms of ADHD and its cognitive dysfunction, including executive attention circuit, sustained attention circuit, impulsivity circuit, and hyperactivity circuit. We also expand our discussion to identify three key brain networks associated with mindfulness practices, including central executive network, default mode network, and salience network. We conclude by suggesting that more research efforts need to be devoted into identifying putative neuropsychological mechanisms of mindfulness on how it alleviates ADHD symptoms.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Long-term mindfulness meditation increases occurrence of sensory and attention brain states. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience January 6, 2025
- Assessing willingness and preference for body scan practices in ADHD: a survey study. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies March 29, 2025
- Mechanisms of Change in Mindfulness-Based Family Intervention (MYmind) Versus Methylphenidate for Childhood ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Trial Children March 23, 2026
- Mindfulness-based interventions for children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a Bayesian meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Frontiers in Psychology March 11, 2026
- Mindfulness Intervention Reduced Executive Dysfunction, Delay Aversion, and ADHD Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial Based on the Dual Pathway Model. The Behavior Therapist 2026
and 3 more in the library
Cites 46
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Experience sampling during fMRI reveals default network and executive system contributions to mind wandering. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences May 26, 2009
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
and 41 more in the library