Deficient Emotional Self-Regulation in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Mindfulness as a Useful Treatment Modality.
A. Huguet, Jon Izaguirre Eguren, Dolores Miguel-Ruiz, Xavier Vall Vallés, J. Alda
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics July 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000682 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 72 |
| Population | Children aged 7 to 12 years with ADHD |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based group therapy |
| Measures | Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Attention/Anxiety-Depression/Aggression scales |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Children with ADHD who received mindfulness-based group therapy showed lower levels of deficient emotional self-regulation after treatment, with a reduction in the CBCL dysregulation profile (F(1,63) = 4.81; p = 0.032). Children with combined-type ADHD had higher dysregulation than those with inattentive-type, but no statistically significant changes were observed in the combined-type after mindfulness treatment. The authors suggest mindfulness group therapy might be clinically relevant for children with ADHD regardless of subtype. |
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a structured mindfulness group intervention program targeting deficient emotional self-regulation (DESR) in a sample of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Method: Seventy-two children aged 7 to 12 years with ADHD were randomized into 2 groups (mindfulness and control). The dysregulation profile was measured using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Attention/Anxiety-Depression/Aggression scales.
Results: Children with ADHD who received mindfulness-based group therapy showed lower levels of DESR after treatment, with a reduction in CBCL dysregulation profile (F (1,63) = 4.81; p = 0.032). All ADHD symptoms showed a moderately significant positive correlation with DESR (p < 0.01). Children with combined-type showed higher levels of DESR than children with inattentive-type (p = 0.018); however, no statistically significant changes were observed in the combined-type after mindfulness treatment.
Conclusion: This study suggests that mindfulness in the form of structured group therapy might be clinically relevant in treating children with ADHD and thus make an impact on the overall clinical outcome, regardless of the ADHD subtype.
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 17
- Mindfulness Strategies for Metacognitive Skills Training in Special Education: The Role of Virtual Reality Technium Social Sciences Journal September 9, 2022
- 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
- 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
- The use of mindfulness based interventions for school-aged children with ADHD in the United States - a literature review. Child Neuropsychology: A Journal of Normal and Abnormal Development in Childhood and Adolescence July 22, 2026
and 12 more in the library
Cites 8
- Standardised Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Healthcare: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of RCTs PLoS One April 16, 2015
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Journal of Child and Family Studies February 1, 2011
- Improving self-regulation in adolescents: current evidence for the role of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Adolescent Health Medicine and Therapeutics September 1, 2016
- Biologic effects of mindfulness meditation: growing insights into neurobiologic aspects of the prevention of depression Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience March 1, 2011
- Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation: Insights from Neurobiological, Psychological, and Clinical Studies Frontiers in Psychology March 6, 2017
and 3 more in the library