Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MYmind) for children with ADHD and their parents: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

IntroductionMindfulness is one of the potential alternative interventions for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some evidence suggests that mindfulness is related to changes in brain regions associated with ADHD. The potential benefits of mindfulness on children with ADHD, as well as the feasibility of this intervention approach, are warranted through prior local and foreign studies. This study aims to evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based group intervention for children with ADHD and their respective parents through a robust research design.Methods and analysisThis study will adopt a randomised controlled trial design including 140 children aged 8–12 years with ADHD together with one of their parents (n=140). These families will be randomised into intervention group (n=70) who will be offered the MYmind programme delivered by trained healthcare professionals, and an active control group (n=70) who will be offered the CBT programme. The intervention includes 8 weekly 90 min group sessions for children with ADHD (aged 8–12 years) and their respective parents. The primary and secondary outcomes will include children’s attention, ADHD-related symptoms, behaviours, executive function and mindfulness levels measured by validated objective measures and parent’s reported instruments. Parents’ parental stress, parenting styles, ADHD related symptoms, well-being, rumination level and mindfulness levels will also be measured. Analysis is by intention to treat. The effects of intervention will be evaluated by comparing outcomes between the two arms, as well as comparing outcomes within subject through comparing measurements at baseline (T0), immediately after the 8 week intervention (T1) and at 3 (T2) and 6 (T3) months postintervention.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been granted by the Joint Chinese University of Hong Kong – New Territories East Cluster Clinical Research Ethics Committee (The Joint CUHK-NTEC CREC). Participants will be required to sign informed consent form from both parents and children. Findings will be reported in conferences and peer-reviewed publications in accordance with recommendations of Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials.Trial registration numberChiCTR1800014741; Pre-results.

Effect of Mindful Parenting Training for Parents with Children Having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder on Parenting Stress

“…The ADHD affecting the children can affect the psychological status of their parents. Mindful parenting training permits parents attentively observe their children without prejudgment, and being sensitive to the needs of their children (Chan, et al, 2018). Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the effect of a mindful parenting training for parents with children having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on parenting stress.…”

Parent and Teacher Training Increases Medication Adherence for Primary School Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…At 6-month follow-up, the mean SNAP-IV score in the intervention group was much lower than that in the control group, suggesting that medication combined with parent–teacher behavior management is more effective in alleviating the core symptoms in children with ADHD ( 37 ). Behavioral interventions implemented by teachers at school and by parents at home are well-established for children with ADHD ( 38 ). Multimodal treatments are beneficial because they can help providers address impairments directly in multiple domains through parent–teacher collaboration.…”

Does a mindfulness-augmented version of the German Strengthening Families Program reduce substance use in adolescents? Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Intervention conditions in both trial arms are comparable in the frequency and duration of personal contacts. Although inclusion of an additional no-treatment control group in a three-arm trial appeared a desirable option, we consider a two-arm trial adequate for two reasons: firstly, it is an adequate design to address the primary research question, whether MT adds value over the evidence-based standard program version (for a similar approach, see [59,60,65]); and, secondly, recruitment is often limited because program deliverers in the field are reluctant to refer families to RCT studies with non-active or minimal control group designs [66,67].…”

“…However, based on the positive results of a broad range of psychological and clinical outcomes (e.g., [48]), there is growing interest in the application of MT in youth populations in clinical and non-clinical settings [42,43,45,46]. Although most of this research is thus far preliminary (more rigorous clinical trials are underway [59][60][61], existing studies overall indicate applicability, safety, and initial efficacy of developmentally appropriate versions of MT for children and adolescents. This generally supports the idea that MT can have a significant impact on health and resilience among children and adolescents.…”

“…Most existing MT-based prevention approaches were implemented in educational settings [42,43] while rigorous prevention studies in other non-clinical settings, such as the family, are still lacking. However, initial results (two trials are currently underway [59,60]) indicate that teaching parents to apply mindful practice in everyday interactions with their children (mindful parenting) can positively influence stress-sensitive cognitive and emotional processes relevant for emotional well-being within families, and healthy child development in families in general [62] as well as in families with adolescents exhibiting externalizing behaviors [63]. Coatsworth et al [64,65] integrated elements of mindful parenting into the SFP 10-14 (Mindfulness-enhanced Strengthening Families Program, MSFP).…”