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Aversive Pavlovian inhibition in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and its restoration by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

Dirk E. M. Geurts, Hanneke E.m. den Ouden, Lotte Janssen, Jennifer C Swart, Monja I Froböse, Roshan Cools, Anne E. M. Speckens

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.938082 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 50
Population Adults with ADHD
Interventions Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) treatment as usual (TAU)
Duration 8 weeks of treatment
Measures Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer task
Topics Meditation
Keywords ADHD Impulsivity Inhibition
Key findings Adults with ADHD and clinically relevant hyperactivity/impulsivity showed less aversive Pavlovian inhibition than those without. Pavlovian inhibition was enhanced across all ADHD patients after TAU+MBCT compared with TAU alone, suggesting MBCT may influence inhibitory mechanisms relevant to hyperactive/impulsive behavior.

Abstract

Control over the tendency to make or withhold responses guided by contextual Pavlovian information plays a key role in understanding impulsivity and hyperactivity. Here we set out to assess (1) the understudied relation between contextual Pavlovian inhibitory control and hyperactivity/impulsivity in adults with ADHD and (2) whether this inhibition can be enhanced by mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT). Within the framework of a randomized controlled trial 50 Adult ADHD patients were assessed before and after 8 weeks of treatment as usual (TAU) with (n = 24) or without (n = 26) MBCT. We employed a well-established behavioral Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer task that quantifies Pavlovian inhibitory control over instrumental behavior. Task results revealed (1) less aversive Pavlovian inhibition in ADHD patients with clinically relevant hyperactivity/impulsivity than in those without; and (2) enhanced Pavlovian inhibition across all ADHD patients after TAU+MBCT compared with TAU. These findings offer new insights in the neurocognitive mechanisms of hyperactivity/impulsivity in ADHD and its treatment: We reveal a role for Pavlovian inhibitory mechanisms in understanding hyperactive/impulsive behaviors in ADHD and point toward MBCT as an intervention that might influence these mechanisms.

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

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