The Transcendental Meditation technique may be an effective and safe non-pharmaceutical aid in treating ADHD, according to a promising new study published this month in the peer-reviewed online journal Current Issues in Education.
The pilot study followed a group of high school students with ADHD who meditated twice a day at school. After three months, the researchers found a more than 50 percent reduction in stress and anxiety and improvements in ADHD symptoms.
The effect exceeds expectations
“The effect was much larger than we expected,” said Sarina J. Grosswald, Ed.D., a George Washington University-trained cognitive learning specialist and principal investigator of the study. “The children also showed improvements in attention, working memory, organization and behavior regulation.”
Grosswald said that after the meditation routine began at school, “teachers reported that they were able to teach more and students were able to learn more because they were less stressed and anxious.”
Stress interferes with the ability to learn
Previous research shows that children with ADHD have slower brain development and a reduced ability to cope with stress. “Stress interferes with the ability to learn, it shuts down the brain,” said William Stixrud, Ph.D., a clinical neuropsychologist in Silver Spring, Maryland, and a co-author of the study.
“ADHD medications are very effective for some children, but marginal or not effective for others. Even for those children who show improvement in symptoms with medication, the improvement is often insufficient or accompanied by side effects.” concerning,” Stixrud said. “Virtually everyone finds it difficult to pay attention, organize, and get things done when under stress. So it stands to reason that TM technique that reduces stress and organizes brain function would reduce ADHD symptoms.”
While in some cases a child cannot function without medication, there is growing concern about the health risks and side effects associated with common ADHD medications, including mood swings, insomnia, tics, slow growth, and heart problems . In 2006, the FDA required manufacturers to place warning labels on ADHD medications listing potential serious health risks.
These high risks and growing concerns are driving parents to search for alternatives that may be safer for their children.
The study was conducted at a private K-12 school for children with language-based learning disabilities. Participation was restricted to 10 students, ages 11 to 14, who had pre-existing diagnoses of ADHD. About half of the students were on medication. The students meditated at school as a group for 10 minutes, morning and afternoon.
To determine the influence of the TM technique, at the beginning and end of the three-month period, parents, teachers, and students completed standard ADHD assessment inventories that measure stress and anxiety, behavior, and social competence, and executive function. The students also received a battery of performance tests to measure cognitive functioning.
“The results were quite remarkable”
Andy and Daryl Schoenbach’s daughter was diagnosed with ADHD in second grade. Like most kids with ADHD, she was on medication. “The medication helped, but had mixed results: she still lost concentration, had nervous breakdowns, and the medication affected her sleep and appetite,” said Andy, who lives with Daryl in Washington DC. I see that the situation improves. So at the end of seventh grade, when her doctor recommended increasing the medication, we decided it was time to take a different course: stop the medication and use Transcendental Meditation.”
“The results were quite remarkable,” said Daryl. “The twice-daily meditations smoothed things out, gave her perspective, and allowed her to be more in control of her own life when things started to fall apart. It took some time, but it gradually changed the way she handled crises and allowed her to feel better.” confident that she could take on greater challenges, in her own words, ‘climbing a mountain'”.
“Everyone noticed the change,” added Andy.
Grosswald explained that there is substantial research showing the efficacy of the TM technique in reducing stress and anxiety and improving cognitive functioning among the general population. “What is significant about these new findings is that among children who have difficulties with focus and attention, we see the same results. TM does not require concentration, mind control or disciplined focus. The fact that these children can do TM , and do it easily shows us that this technique might be particularly suitable for children with ADHD,” he said.
This study was funded by the Abramson Family Foundation and the Institute for Community Enrichment.
A second recently completed TM-ADHD study with a control group measured brain function using electroencephalography (EEG). Preliminary data show that three months’ practice of the technique resulted in significant positive changes in brain functioning during visual-motor skills. Changes were seen specifically in brain circuits associated with attention and distraction. After six months of TM practice, the measures of distraction moved into the normal range.
A third $2 million TM-ADHD study, to be funded in part by a David Lynch Foundation grant, will further investigate the effects of the technique on ADHD and other learning disorders.
ADHD Facts
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
“The Center for Disease Control reports that nearly 50 percent of the 4.5 million children (ages 4 to 17) in the United States diagnosed with ADHD take ADHD medication, and most of those who take medications continue to take them into adulthood.
“The prescribing rate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the US has increased fivefold since 1991, with ADHD drug production increasing 2,000% in 9 years.
“Commonly used medications for ADHD are stimulants (amphetamines). These medications can cause persistent and negative side effects, including sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, weight loss, growth retardation, and mood disorders. side effects are often treated with additional medications to control insomnia or mood changes Almost none of the medications prescribed for insomnia or mood disorders are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with kids.
“The long-term health effects of ADHD medications are not fully understood, but evidence suggests risks for cardiac disorders and sudden death, liver damage, and psychiatric events. Children taking medications at long-term have significantly higher rates of delinquency, substance use, and physical stunting.
Facts about the technique of Transcendental Meditation
“The Transcendental Meditation technique is an effortless technique that is practiced for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day sitting comfortably with your eyes closed.
“TM is not a religion or philosophy and does not imply new beliefs or lifestyle changes.
“More than 350 peer-reviewed research studies on the MT technique confirm a variety of benefits for the mind, body, and behavior.
“Several studies compared the effects of different meditation practices and found that Transcendental Meditation provides deeper relaxation and is more effective in reducing anxiety, depression, and hypertension than other forms of meditation and relaxation. Furthermore, no other meditation practice meditation shows the pervasive consistency throughout the world”. all areas of the brain seen with Transcendental Meditation.
“The Transcendental Meditation technique is taught in the United States by a non-profit educational organization.
