Exploring the Efficacy of a Mindfulness Program for Boys With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Pietro Muratori, Ciro Conversano, Valentina Levantini, G. Masi, Annarita Milone, Silvia Villani, Susan M. Bögels, Angelo Gemignani
Journal of Attention Disorders April 26, 2020 DOI: 10.1177/1087054720915256 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Male children aged 8 to 12 with a diagnosis of ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder, and their parents |
| Intervention | Mindfulness intervention |
| Measures | Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A mindfulness intervention for children with ADHD and ODD and their parents reduced hyperactive behaviors in the school context (effect size 0.59), improved visual sustained attention (effect size 0.77), and improved Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire scores (effect size 0.43) relative to a wait-list control. No significant effect on aggressive behaviors was found, leading the authors to describe the intervention's effects as partial. |
Abstract
Objective: This study was the first attempt to explore the efficacy of a mindfulness protocol for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and their parents.
Method: Fifty male children with ADHD and ODD diagnosis, aged 8 to 12, were randomly assigned to the mindfulness intervention (n = 25) or the wait-list (n = 25) group. Outcome measures included children, parents’, and teachers’ reports and objective measures of attention.
Results: Children from the intervention group had a greater reduction in hyperactive behaviors in the school context (effect size [ES] = 0.59) and a greater improvement in visual sustained attention (ES = 0.77) and in Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire scores (ES = 0.43) than those in the wait-list control group. No significant effect of the intervention on aggressive behaviors was revealed.
Conclusion: A mindfulness intervention for children and their parents showed partial beneficial effects in children with ADHD + ODD.
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 18
- Eight-month intensive meditation-based intervention improves refractory hallucinations and delusions and quality of life in male inpatients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences April 1, 2024
- The impact of mindfulness therapy in individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a systematic review ( El impacto de la terapia mindfulness en personas con Trastorno por Déficit de Atención/Hiperactividad (TDAH): una revisión sistemática ) Journal for the Study of Education and Development Infancia y Aprendizaje May 2, 2023
- 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
- The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Children’s Executive Functions: An Updated Meta-Analysis Mindfulness August 19, 2026
- Mindful Parenting for Caregivers of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorder Diagnosis Children February 26, 2026
and 13 more in the library
Cites 8
- Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). Psychological Assessment April 11, 2011
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for the treatment of adolescent psychiatric outpatients: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2009
- Research Review: The effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents – a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry October 22, 2018
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapies for ADHD: A Meta-Analytic Review Journal of Attention Disorders March 1, 2020
- Deficient Emotional Self-Regulation in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Mindfulness as a Useful Treatment Modality. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics July 1, 2019
and 3 more in the library