Yoga Nidra And Yoga Asana For Inattention In Childhood ADHD: A Pre-Test–Post-Test Control Group Study

A twelve-week program of Yoga Nidra, a guided relaxation practice, reduced inattention in children with ADHD more than physical yoga postures or no intervention. In a study of 50 children aged 7–12, those in the Yoga Nidra group had significantly lower parent-rated inattention scores than both the control group and the Yoga Asana group, while the Yoga Asana group did not differ from the control. Gender had no effect. The authors suggest guided relaxation may be a useful non-pharmacological support for ADHD in school settings.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, and inattention is one of its most impairing features. Concern about the adverse effects of stimulant medication has increased interest in non-pharmacological options such as yoga. Yoga Nidra, a guided relaxation practice, has rarely been compared with physical yoga postures (asana) for childhood inattention. Objective: To compare the effect of a twelve-week Yoga Asana programme and a twelve-week Yoga Nidra programme on inattention in children with ADHD, relative to a non-intervention control group. Methods: Fifty children aged 7–12 years identified with ADHD symptoms were assigned to a Yoga Asana group (n = 20), a Yoga Nidra group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 10). Inattention was rated by parents on an ADHD behaviour rating scale before and after the programme. Forty-six children completed the study. A 3 (group) × 2 (gender) analysis of covariance was applied, with the pre-test score as covariate. Results: The group effect was significant, F(2, 39) = 8.48, p < .001, ηp² = .30. The Yoga Nidra group had significantly lower adjusted inattention scores than both the control group (p < .001) and the Yoga Asana group (p = .030), whereas Yoga Asana did not differ from control (p = .31). Gender and the group-by-gender interaction were non-significant. Conclusion: Yoga Nidra specifically reduced inattention in children with ADHD, outperforming physical postures alone. Guided relaxation merits further study as a school-based support.