Comparative Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Executive Functions, Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome, Stress Management, and Quality of Life in Adults with ADHD (Preprint)
Leila Kamran, Seyed Mousa Golestaneh, Ali Pakizeh, Soran Rajabi
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Adults diagnosed with ADHD |
| Interventions | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Both CBT and MBCT improved ADHD symptoms, executive functions, stress, and quality of life in adults with ADHD compared with a control group, with MBCT showing greater benefits for hot executive functioning, stress, and Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (effect sizes .18-.30). The authors recommend integrating mindfulness into ADHD interventions. |
Abstract
Background: Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often involves executive dysfunction, cognitive disengagement, high stress, and reduced quality of life. Despite advances in pharmacological treatment, effective non-pharmacological interventions remain essential.
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in improving ADHD symptoms, Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS), cold and hot executive functions, stress management, and quality of life METHODS A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design was conducted with 60 adults diagnosed with ADHD. Participants were randomly assigned to CBT, MBCT, or control groups. Standardized measures assessed ADHD symptoms, executive functions, CDS, stress, and quality of life. Data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA), controlling for baseline scores.
Results: MANCOVA revealed a significant group effect on the combined dependent variables (Wilks’ Lambda = .43, F(12, 102) = 3.92, p < .001, η² = .29). Follow-up ANCOVAs indicated significant improvements in both intervention groups compared with control (all p < .01), with MBCT showing greater effects on hot executive functioning, stress, and CDS (η² range: .18–.30).
Conclusions: Both CBT and MBCT effectively improved cognitive and emotional outcomes in adults with ADHD, with MBCT providing additional benefits for stress regulation and cognitive disengagement. Integration of mindfulness into ADHD interventions is recommended.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cites 5
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review of Neurocognitive Outcomes and Applications for Mental Health and Well-Being. Journal of Clinical Medicine March 3, 2025
- Mindful attention to breath regulates emotions via increased amygdala-prefrontal cortex connectivity. Neuroimage July 1, 2016
- The science of mind wandering: empirically navigating the stream of consciousness. Annual Review of Psychology January 3, 2015
- Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density Psychiatry Research November 10, 2010
- Mindfulness Meditation Training in Adults and Adolescents With ADHD Journal of Attention Disorders May 1, 2008