The Effects of a Mindfulness Therapy Program on Core Symptoms of Children with ADHD Disorder

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to develop and assess the effects of the mindfulness program on core symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children with ADHD quasi-experimental research was adopted in this study. Thirty-six children ages 9-12 years with ADHD participated in this study. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n=20) and control group (n=16). The experimental group participated in the mindfulness program weekly lasting 1 hour for ten sessions. Data collection tools included (SNAP-IV), Executive Function Assessments (Stroop Color and Word Test, Children’s Color Trails Test (CCTT), and Quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG). Data was analyzed by percentile, mean, Pair t-test and Independent t-test. Within the experimental group, there was a significant reduction at .001 of the score from SNAP-IV and a significant difference at .05 of the score from Stroop Color and Word Test before and after attending the intervention. The qualitative of EEG (qEEG) with regards to the Delta wave frequency also showed a significant reduction while the score from CCTT showed a difference but was not statistically significant. Between the experimental group and control group, a significant difference was found in the scores from the Stroop Color and Word Test. Differences shown in scores between the groups from the SNAP-4, CCTT, and qEEG were not statistically significant.

Keywords

• ADHD
• Executive Function
• Mindfulness,
• Therapy