Effects of an online mindfulness-based program for parents of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a pilot, mixed methods study
H. Lo, Jason Lam, Z. Zhang, Marsena Cheung, S. Chan, Elisabeth W. Y. Wong, Susan M. Bögels, Hong-Chui Wing
Frontiers in Psychiatry April 24, 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1376867 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot randomized controlled trial with mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative interviews) Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 43 |
| Population | Parents of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) |
| Intervention | Online mindfulness-based program (MBP) |
| Duration | 28 days, including 20 psychoeducation videos, homework audio guidance, and four instructor-led online group meetings |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Registration | NCT05480423 |
| Key findings | The online mindfulness-based program showed a medium to large effect on reducing child ADHD symptoms, and interviewed parents reported positive experiences with help-seeking intention and personal changes such as emotion regulation and quality attention to their children. The authors conclude the effect is promising and recommend a large-scale randomized controlled trial in clinical populations. |
Abstract
Objectives: Online mindfulness-based program (MBP) for parents and families especially in clinical population is limited. Engagement and significant dropout are major issues in MBP implementation. This pilot study examined the effects of an online mindfulness-based program (MBP) on parents of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Methods: A mixed methods study was applied to evaluate the effects of the MBP. A total of 43 parents were recruited and were randomly assigned into intervention group and waitlist control group. The online MBP lasted for 28 days, including 20 psychoeducation videos, homework audio guidance, and four instructor-led online group meetings. Purposive sampling was used to recruit parents who completed the program to share their experiences and suggestions for improving the program in semi-structured online interviews.
Results: Quantitative data showed that participants from the online MBP reported a medium to large effect on the reduction of child ADHD symptoms. In semi-structured interviews, participants reported positive experiences in their help seeking intention, and personal changes, such as emotion regulation and quality attention to their children. Participants further made suggestions for improvement.
Conclusions: The effect of online MBP is promising, and the program should be conducted. A large scale randomized controlled trial should be conducted to investigate the effects of MBP in clinical populations. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05480423.
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
Cited by 5
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Improving the Mental Health of Parents of Children with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of autism and developmental disorders March 13, 2025
- Mindfulness for Stress Reduction in Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review Children June 30, 2026
- The effects of an online mindfulness-based intervention for parents of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders October 20, 2026
- Feasibility of using Making Mindfulness Matter© for children with epilepsy and their parents: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Epilepsy & Behavior October 1, 2026
- A randomized controlled trial for evaluating the effects of an online mindfulness-based intervention for parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a study protocol BMC Psychology June 5, 2025
Cites 6
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression August 21, 2006
- A Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness, Acceptance, and Negative Effects of StudiCare Mindfulness, an Internet- and Mobile-Based Intervention for College Students with No and “On Demand” Guidance International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health February 11, 2023
- A randomised controlled trial (MindChamp) of a mindfulness‐based intervention for children with ADHD and their parents Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry May 24, 2021
- The Effect of Mindfulness Interventions for Parents on Parenting Stress and Youth Psychological Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Frontiers in Psychology June 6, 2019
and 1 more in the library