Meditation or Medication? Mindfulness training versus medication in the treatment of childhood ADHD: a randomized controlled trial
Renée Meppelink, E. D. de Bruin, Susan M. Bögels
BMC Psychiatry July 26, 2016 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-016-0978-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial protocol Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 120 |
| Population | Children and adolescents aged 9 to 18 of both sexes diagnosed with ADHD, referred to urban and rural mental healthcare centers, and their parents |
| Interventions | mindful parenting training methylphenidate |
| Duration | 8 weekly 1.5-hour sessions; assessments at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up at 4 and 10 months after start of treatment |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The article presents the design of a trial intended to compare the clinical and cost effectiveness of mindfulness training (MYmind protocol, including parallel mindful parenting training) with methylphenidate in children and adolescents with ADHD. The authors state the study will inform mental health care professionals and health insurance companies; no outcomes are reported. |
Abstract
BackgroundAttention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD) is, with a prevalence of 5 %, a highly common childhood disorder, and has severe impact on the lives of youngsters and their families. Medication is often the treatment of choice, as it currently is most effective. However, medication has only short-term effects, treatment adherence is often low and most importantly; medication has serious side effects. Therefore, there is a need for other interventions for youngsters with ADHD. Mindfulness training is emerging as a potentially effective training for children and adolescents with ADHD. The aim of this study is to compare the (cost) effectiveness of mindfulness training to the (cost) effectiveness of methylphenidate in children with ADHD on measures of attention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.Methods/designA multicenter randomized controlled trial with 2 follow-up measurements will be used to measure the effects of mindfulness training versus the effects of methylphenidate. Participants will be youngsters (aged 9 to 18) of both sexes diagnosed with ADHD, referred to urban and rural mental healthcare centers. We aim to include 120 families. The mindfulness training, using the MYmind protocol, will be conducted in small groups, and consists of 8 weekly 1.5-h sessions. Youngsters learn to focus and enhance their attention, awareness, and self-control by doing mindfulness exercises. Parents will follow a parallel mindful parenting training in which they learn to be fully present in the here and now with their child in a non-judgmental way, to take care of themselves, and to respond rather than react to difficult behavior of their child. Short-acting methylphenidate will be administered individually and monitored by a child psychiatrist. Assessments will take place at pre-test, post-test, and at follow-up 1 and 2 (respectively 4 and 10 months after the start of treatment). Informants are parents, children, teachers, and researchers.DiscussionThis study will inform mental health care professionals and health insurance companies about the clinical and cost effectiveness of mindfulness training for children and adolescents with ADHD and their parents compared to the effectiveness of methylphenidate. Limitations and several types of bias that are anticipated for this study are discussed.Trial registrationDutch Trial Register: NTR4206. Registered 11 October 2013.
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 9
- Enhanced Resting-State Functional Connectivity With Decreased Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations of the Salience Network in Mindfulness Novices Frontiers in Human Neuroscience March 3, 2022
- Cost-Effectiveness of a Child and Parent Mindfulness-Based Training Versus Medication for Childhood ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders August 24, 2026
- Mechanisms of Change in Mindfulness-Based Family Intervention (MYmind) Versus Methylphenidate for Childhood ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Trial Children March 23, 2026
- Randomized Controlled Trial of Parent and Child Mindfulness Training (MYmind) versus Medication Journal of Child and Family Studies September 13, 2025
- Methylphenidate or Family Mindfulness? Effects on Internalizing, Externalizing and Social Problems in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children May 26, 2025
and 4 more in the library
Cites 14
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being JAMA Internal Medicine January 6, 2014
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression August 21, 2006
- Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). Psychological Assessment April 11, 2011
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Journal of Child and Family Studies February 1, 2011
and 9 more in the library