Mindfulness Training in Youth With ADHD + Comorbid Learning Disability Maintains Medial Frontal Cortex Function During Response Inhibition
Maxwell Seward, Karen Milligan, Annabel Sibalis, Harry Wenban, Stefon Van Noordt
Clinical EEG and Neuroscience March 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/15500594251399706 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 75 |
| Population | Youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid learning disability, ages 11-17 years |
| Intervention | Mindfulness martial arts |
| Duration | 20-week intervention |
| Measures | NoGo N2, NoGo P3 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A significant group by time interaction indicated that waitlist control participants had attenuated NoGo N2 amplitudes over time, whereas the mindfulness martial arts intervention group maintained similar levels of medial frontal activity during response inhibition. The authors suggest that mindfulness martial arts may buffer against reductions in N2 activity during adolescence for youth with ADHD. |
Abstract
Objective: The present study investigated the neural correlates of cognitive control in youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid learning disability (N = 75, ages 11-17 years) who participated in a 20-week mindfulness martial arts intervention compared to a waitlist control.
Method: EEG was recorded pre and post intervention during a blocked Go/NoGo task. Peak amplitude was measured for the inhibitory NoGo N2 and P3 ERP components.
Results: A significant group by time interaction was found for NoGo N2 amplitudes, indicating that waitlist control participants had significantly attenuated N2 amplitudes over time whereas the intervention group maintained similar levels of medial frontal activity during response inhibition. The maintenance of the individual differences in N2 amplitudes were robust in the intervention group.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that participation in mindfulness martial arts may buffer against reductions in N2 activity during adolescence for youth with ADHD
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 7
- Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence Journal of Neuroscience October 21, 2009
- Regular, brief mindfulness meditation practice improves electrophysiological markers of attentional control Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2012
- An EEG Investigation of the Attention-Related Impact of Mindfulness Training in Youth With ADHD: Outcomes and Methodological Considerations Journal of Attention Disorders July 27, 2017
- The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder beyond core symptoms: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. Journal of Affective Disorders September 1, 2021
- Short-term mindful breath awareness training improves inhibitory control and response monitoring. Progress in Brain Research 2019
and 2 more in the library