Mindfulness training for childhood ADHD A promising and innovative treatment

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterised by inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive behaviour and is one of the most common mental health problems, with 5% of children now meeting the diagnostic criteria. Currently, medication is the most effective and most common treatment for ADHD. The last 20–30 years have seen a sharp rise in drug prescriptions for ADHD, with nearly 70% of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD in the US now receiving medication. However, concerns have been raised about the potential limitations of ADHD medications, including their side effects, the necessity to continue use to maintain beneficial effects, low treatment adherence, stigmatisation and uncertain long-term effectiveness and safety. The demand for non-pharmacological treatments for ADHD is, therefore, high, but the effectiveness of those currently available, such as dietary interventions, free fatty acid supplementation, cognitive training, neuro-feedback and behavioural interventions, is debatable. As such, the need for further interventions targeting the core symptoms of ADHD remains.