Mindfulness for ADHD

Plain-language summary

Research suggests that mindfulness meditation might be a helpful approach for some people with ADHD, both children and adults, particularly concerning attention, impulsivity, and emotional regulation. However, the evidence is still growing, and its effectiveness can vary, sometimes showing mixed results.

Key findings

• For adults with ADHD, mindfulness-based interventions show some promise as a non-medication option, though more research is needed to fully understand their impact and how they compare to other treatments.
• In children and teenagers with ADHD, mindfulness-based approaches appear to be beneficial for improving attention, reducing impulsive behaviors, and helping with emotional control.
• When families are involved in mindfulness training for children with ADHD, it may lead to better outcomes in areas like attention and emotional regulation.
• While mindfulness can be helpful, it’s important to remember that for children and teens with ADHD, other non-medication strategies might be more effective for improving executive functions, which are the mental skills that help us plan and focus.
• Overall, while mindfulness shows potential, research indicates it's one of several non-medication options for adults with ADHD, and its effectiveness can vary from person to person.

Studies cited (8)

1. Comparative efficacy and acceptability of pharmacological, psychological, and neurostimulatory interventions for ADHD in adults: a systematic review and component network meta-analysis — Ostinelli EG, Schulze M, Zangani C (2025, The lancet. Psychiatry, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(24)00360-2

2. Efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions on executive functions in children and adolescents with ADHD: A systematic review and meta-analysis — Qiu H, Liang X, Wang P (2023, Asian journal of psychiatry, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103692

3. Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Children and Adolescents with ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials — Lee YC, Chen CR, Lin KC (2022, International journal of environmental research and public health, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215198 PMCID: PMC9690476

4. Non-pharmacological interventions for adult ADHD: a systematic review — Nimmo-Smith V, Merwood A, Hank D (2020, Psychological medicine, systematic-review)

   DOI: 10.1017/S0033291720000069

5. Mindfulness-based training effect on attention, impulsivity, and emotional regulation among children with ADHD: The role of family engagement in randomized controlled trials — Elzohairy NW, Elzlbany GAM, Khamis BI (2024, Archives of psychiatric nursing, rct)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2024.10.001

6. The Effects of Mindfulness for Youth (MYmind) versus Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Improving Attention and Reducing Behavioral Problems among Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Parents: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Wong SYS, Chan SKC, Yip BHK (2023, Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, rct)

   DOI: 10.1159/000534962 PMCID: PMC10794968

7. A randomised controlled trial (MindChamp) of a mindfulness-based intervention for children with ADHD and their parents — Siebelink NM, Bögels SM, Speckens AEM (2022, Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, rct)

   DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13430 PMCID: PMC9292876

8. Benefits and harms of ADHD interventions: umbrella review and platform for shared decision making — Gosling CJ, Garcia-Argibay M, De Prisco M (2025, BMJ (Clinical research ed.), review)

   DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2025-085875 PMCID: PMC12651917