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Clinical Application of Mindfulness-Oriented Meditation: A Preliminary Study in Children with ADHD

Author

Listed:
  • Ornella Santonastaso

    (Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Vittoria Zaccari

    (Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy)

  • Cristiano Crescentini

    (Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Franco Fabbro

    (Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Viviana Capurso

    (Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Stefano Vicari

    (Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy
    Department of Life Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy)

  • Deny Menghini

    (Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Mindfulness-oriented meditation (MOM) is a self-regulatory training used for attentional and behavioral problems. With its focus on attention, MOM is a promising form of training that is gaining empirical support as a complementary or alternative intervention for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this study, we tested the preliminary efficacy of MOM training in children with ADHD, by comparing its efficacy with an active control condition (Emotion Education Program, EEP). Twenty-five children with ADHD aged 7–11 years participated in MOM training ( n = 15) or EEP ( n = 10) 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Neuropsychological and academic measures and behavioral, emotional, and mindfulness ratings were collected before and after the two programs. On average, MOM training had positive effects on neuropsychological measures, as evidenced by a significant mean improvement in all outcome measures after training. Moreover, positive effects on ADHD symptoms were found only in the MOM group. Although they are preliminary, our results documented that MOM training promotes changes in neuropsychological measures and in certain behavioral symptoms, suggesting it as a promising tool for ameliorating cognitive and clinical manifestations of ADHD.

Suggested Citation

  • Ornella Santonastaso & Vittoria Zaccari & Cristiano Crescentini & Franco Fabbro & Viviana Capurso & Stefano Vicari & Deny Menghini, 2020. "Clinical Application of Mindfulness-Oriented Meditation: A Preliminary Study in Children with ADHD," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6916-:d:417145
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