The Effects of Family-Based Mindfulness Intervention on ADHD Symptomology in Young Children and Their Parents: A Randomized Control Trial.

Author: Lo HHM1, Wong SWL2, Wong JYH3, Yeung JWK4, Snel E5, Wong SYS6
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>1 The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. <sup>2</sup>2 The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. <sup>3</sup>3 The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. <sup>4</sup>4 City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. <sup>5</sup>5 The Academy of Mindful Teaching, Leusden, The Netherlands. <sup>6</sup>6 The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Conference/Journal: J Atten Disord.
Date published: 2017 Nov 1
Other: Volume ID: 1087054717743330 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/1087054717743330. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 145


OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the feasibility of a family-based mindfulness intervention in improving children with inattention and hyperactivity symptoms.

METHOD: A total of 100 children aged 5 to 7 years with ADHD symptoms and their parents were randomly assigned to a family-based mindfulness intervention ( n = 50) or a wait-list control group ( n = 50).

RESULTS: Families from intervention group had greater improvements in children's ADHD symptoms, with medium effect sizes of -0.60 for inattention and -0.59 for hyperactivity; overall behaviors; and parenting stress and well-being than those in wait-list control group.

CONCLUSION: The positive results on the child primary outcome measures have provided initial evidence of the family-based mindfulness intervention as a treatment option to ADHD. The reduction of parental stress and increase in psychological well-being has demonstrated the value of mindfulness in enhancing parent's self-management.

KEYWORDS: ADHD; children; family; mindfulness; randomized controlled trial

PMID: 29185375 DOI: 10.1177/1087054717743330