Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Children and Adolescents with ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Yi-Chen Lee, Chyi-Rong Chen, K-C. Lin
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health November 1, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215198 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Children with ADHD |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Across 11 randomized controlled trials, mindfulness-based interventions showed a pooled effect size of g = 0.77 for ADHD symptoms, g = 0.43 for mindfulness, and g = 0.40 for parental stress, but near-null effects for externalizing (g = 0.03) and internalizing (g = 0.13) behavior problems. The authors conclude the results highlight possible benefits for children with ADHD. |
Abstract
(1)
Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions have been receiving more attention in research for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the findings of randomized controlled trials of mindfulness-based interventions for children with ADHD. (2)
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published in PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar was completed from the earliest available date until August 2022. (3)
Results: The systematic review included 12 studies that met the inclusion criteria, and the meta-analysis included 11 studies. The overall effect sizes were g = 0.77 for ADHD symptoms, g = 0.03 for externalizing behavior problem, g = 0.13 for internalizing behavior problem, g = 0.43 for mindfulness, and g = 0.40 for parental stress for children with ADHD. (4)
Conclusion: The results of this systematic review highlight the possible benefits of mindfulness-based interventions for children with ADHD.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- Combining mindfulness and cognitive training in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: study protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial (the NeuroMind study). Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- Efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis Frontiers in Psychiatry September 16, 2026
- Eight-Week Mindfulness Training Effectively Improves Performance in Children with ADHD: A Comparison with Cognitive-Behavioral Training Behavioral Sciences July 6, 2026
- The Impact of Mindfulness as a Session‐Introduction on Symptoms and Alliance in Individual Cognitive‐Behavioral Therapy With Children and Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Clinical Psychology August 29, 2026
- Cost-Effectiveness of a Child and Parent Mindfulness-Based Training Versus Medication for Childhood ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders August 24, 2026
and 14 more in the library
Cites 15
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence Journal of Neuroscience October 21, 2009
- The effect of mindfulness-based interventions on inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive behavior in childhood: A meta-analysis International Journal of Behavioral Development October 9, 2020
- Clinical Application of Mindfulness-Oriented Meditation: A Preliminary Study in Children with ADHD International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health September 22, 2020
- The effectiveness of a single session of mindfulness-based cognitive training on cardiac vagal control and core symptoms in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a preliminary randomized controlled trial. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry May 24, 2022
and 10 more in the library