Meditation-based therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Junhua Zhang, Amparo Díaz-Román, Samuele Cortese
Evidence-Based Mental Health August 2018 DOI: 10.1136/ebmental-2018-300015 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 609 |
| Population | Children/adolescents and adults with ADHD |
| Intervention | Meditation-based therapies |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Meditation-based therapies reduced ADHD core symptom severity versus control conditions in children/adolescents (Hedge's g = -0.44) and adults (g = -0.66), but no significant effects were found on neuropsychological measures of inattention and inhibition in children/adolescents. The authors conclude that, given the paucity of trials, heterogeneity, and lack of low-risk-of-bias studies, there is insufficient methodologically sound evidence to support meditation-based therapies for ADHD. |
Abstract
The efficacy of meditation-based therapies for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan remains uncertain. To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of meditation-based therapies for ADHD core symptoms and associated neuropsychological dysfunctions in children/adolescents or adults with ADHD. We searched Pubmed, PsycInfo, Embase+Embase Classic, Ovid Medline and Web of Knowledge with no language, date or type of document restriction, up to 5 May 2018. Random-effects model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran's Q and I2 statistics. Publication (small studies) bias was assessed with funnel plots and the Egger's test. Studies were evaluated with the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool. Analyses were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis. 13 RCTs (seven in children/adolescents, n=270 and six in adults, n=339) were retained. Only one RCT was double-blind.Meditation-based therapies were significantly more efficacious than the control conditions in decreasing the severity of ADHD core symptoms (inattention+hyperactivity/impulsivity: children/adolescents: Hedge's g=-0.44, 95% CI -0.69 to -0.19, I20%; adults: Hedge's g=-0.66, 95% CI -1.21 to -0.11, I281.81%). No significant effects were found on neuropsychological measures of inattention and inhibition in children/adolescents. In adults, significant effects were detected on working memory and inhibition, although these results were based on a small number of studies (n=3). 57% and 43% of the studies in children/adolescents were rated at overall unclear and high risk of bias, respectively. In adults, 33% and 67% of the studies were deemed at overall unclear and high risk of bias, respectively. No evidence of publication bias was found. Despite statistically significant effects on ADHD combined core symptoms, due to paucity of RCTs, heterogeneity across studies and lack of studies at low risk of bias, there is insufficient methodologically sound evidence to support meditation-based therapies for ADHD. PROSPERO 2018 [CRD42018096156].
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
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Clinical Application of Mindfulness-Oriented Meditation: A Preliminary Study in Children with ADHD International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health September 22, 2020
- Biological mechanism study of meditation and its application in mental disorders General Psychiatry July 13, 2020
- Resting State Functional Connectivity Associated With Sahaja Yoga Meditation Frontiers in Human Neuroscience March 16, 2021
- Conduct problems, hyperactivity, and screen time among community youth: can mindfulness help? an exploratory study Frontiers in Psychiatry April 9, 2024
and 14 more in the library
Cites 7
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapies for ADHD: A Meta-Analytic Review Journal of Attention Disorders March 1, 2020
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy v. treatment as usual in adults with ADHD: a multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Psychological Medicine January 2019
- Mindfulness vs psychoeducation in adult ADHD: a randomized controlled trial. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience June 2018
- A Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for College Students With ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders February 2018
- Systematic review of meditation-based interventions for children with ADHD European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 2017
and 2 more in the library