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Original article
Meditation-based therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
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  1. Junhua Zhang1,2,
  2. Amparo Díaz-Román3,
  3. Samuele Cortese4,5,6,7
  1. 1 School of Education, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Big Data of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, China
  2. 2 Center for Innovation in Mental Health, Academic Unit of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
  3. 3 Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
  4. 4 Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
  5. 5 Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
  6. 6 New York University Child Study Center, New York City, New York, USA
  7. 7 Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Samuele Cortese, Academic Unit of Psychology and Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry) University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK; samuele.cortese{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Background The efficacy of meditation-based therapies for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) across the lifespan remains uncertain.

Objective To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of meditation-based therapies for ADHD core symptoms and associated neuropsychological dysfunctions in children/adolescents or adults with ADHD.

Methods We searched Pubmed, PsycInfo, Embase+Embase Classic, Ovid Medline and Web of Knowledge with no language, date or type of document restriction, up to 5 May 2018. Random-effects model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics. Publication (small studies) bias was assessed with funnel plots and the Egger’s test. Studies were evaluated with the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) tool. Analyses were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis.

Findings 13 RCTs (seven in children/adolescents, n=270 and six in adults, n=339) were retained. Only one RCT was double-blind.Meditation-based therapies were significantly more efficacious than the control conditions in decreasing the severity of ADHD core symptoms (inattention+hyperactivity/impulsivity: children/adolescents: Hedge’s g=-0.44, 95% CI −0.69 to −0.19, I20%; adults: Hedge’s g=−0.66, 95% CI –1.21 to −0.11, I281.81%). No significant effects were found on neuropsychological measures of inattention and inhibition in children/adolescents. In adults, significant effects were detected on working memory and inhibition, although these results were based on a small number of studies (n=3). 57% and 43% of the studies in children/adolescents were rated at overall unclear and high risk of bias, respectively. In adults, 33% and 67% of the studies were deemed at overall unclear and high risk of bias, respectively. No evidence of publication bias was found.

Conclusions Despite statistically significant effects on ADHD combined core symptoms, due to paucity of RCTs, heterogeneity across studies and lack of studies at low risk of bias, there is insufficient methodologically sound evidence to support meditation-based therapies for ADHD.

Trial registration number PROSPERO 2018 [CRD42018096156].

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2018-300015

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    Footnotes

    • JZ and AD-R contributed equally.

    • Contributors SC conceived the study and supervised screening, data extraction and analyses and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JZ and AR did the screening, data extraction and analyses and revised the manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.