Intervenções baseadas em mindfulness para crianças com transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade

Abstract

The prevalence of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children worldwide is 5 to 7.5%. ADHD causes substantial financial impact on health and education services. The burden placed on caregivers affects family dynamics and marital relationships. Parents often resort to punishment in response to their children’s behavior, which creates a vicious circle in which maladjusted child behavior intensifies. Professionals from different areas manage cases of ADHD differently, posing a challenge to healthcare providers and creating demand for alternative options. Mindfulness is a meditation-based intervention that helps children develop emotional self-regulation and parents manage stress, and aids in child rearing. This paper describes the rationale and clinical evidence in favor of the use of mindfulness interventions in children with ADHD. METHOD: This literature review included articles published between 2000 and 2021. RESULTS: A total of 351 articles, six of which randomized clinical trials and four systematic reviews, were included in the review. In children, the findings indicated improvement in ADHD symptoms in the areas of impulsivity, attention, aggressiveness, and emotional regulation. In parents, improvements were seen in stress levels and mindful parenting. CONCLUSION: The review suggested benefits from mindfulness interventions for children in internalizing symptoms and ADHD, in addition to benefits to parents in stress management, parenting practices, and interfamily relationships. However, longitudinal research must be conducted to confirm the benefits and sustainability of long-term effects.

Keywords

• mindfulness
• attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
• review
• therapeutics