The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Core Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms, Family Functioning and Social Functioning in Children Aged Six to Nine.
Lifang Wang, Mei Wang, Cheng Chang, Lin Tian, Yannan Zhang, Jieqiong Lin, Tuo Zhang, Qiang Huan, Nan Ji
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare November 25, 2025 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s538924 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 43 |
| Population | Children aged 6-9 years meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria for ADHD, recruited at a hospital |
| Interventions | Family mindfulness meditation medication |
| Measures | Weiss-P Functional Defect Scale, Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ), Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA-CPT), SNAP-IV Scale |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Social function Core symptoms Family mindfulness meditation |
| Key findings | Family mindfulness meditation combined with medication improved Weiss-P Life Skills and Risk-Taking Activities, PSQ Conduct Problems and Psychosomatic Problems, and IVA-CPT Attention-Visual Function from before to after intervention, while medication alone improved only SNAP-IV Hyperactivity-Impulsivity and PSQ Psychosomatic Problems. The authors report that simplified mindfulness meditation improves core ADHD symptoms and family functioning, and suggest concurrent medication may influence its efficacy. |
Abstract
Objective: To explore the effects of mindfulness meditation on core attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, family functioning and social functioning in young children.
Methods: A convenience sample of 43 children aged 6-9 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria was recruited at our hospital between 3 June and 3 July 2024. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (22 cases) or a control group (21 cases). The intervention group received family mindfulness meditation combined with medication, whereas the control group received medication alone. Relevant indicators were collected and compared before and after the intervention.
Results: Compared with pre-intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements in: Life Skills and Risk-Taking Activities (Weiss-P Functional Defect Scale); Conduct Problems and Psychosomatic Problems (Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire, PSQ); and Attention-Visual Function (Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test, IVA-CPT). In contrast, the control group only improved significantly in Hyperactivity-Impulsivity (SNAP-IV Scale) and Psychosomatic Problems (PSQ). Post-intervention, the intervention group improved more in PSQ's Conduct Problems and Psychosomatic Problems than the control group. However, the control group had no significant changes in most scale scores vs baseline, except Inattention (SNAP-IV) and Response Control (IVA-CPT).Medication subgroup analysis showed: vs pre-intervention, the intervention group improved significantly in PSQ's Conduct Problems and Psychosomatic Problems (with significant time×group interactions); the control group had no significant changes in these indicators.Additionally, ANCOVA (controlling gender/age) for Weiss-P's Self-Management showed: the intervention group's pre-post score difference was statistically significant, while the control group only had a marginally significant increase. Mixed ANOVA confirmed significant time×group interactions for Weiss-P's Life Skills and Risk-Taking Behavior, PSQ's Conduct Problems, and IVA-CPT's Response Control.
Conclusion: Simplified mindfulness meditation improves core ADHD symptoms and family functioning, and concurrent medication may influence its efficacy.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Conceptual and methodological issues in research on mindfulness and meditation. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Journal of Child and Family Studies February 1, 2011
- Mindfulness Meditation Training in Adults and Adolescents With ADHD Journal of Attention Disorders May 1, 2008