Mindfulness Training for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Mindful Parenting

The MYmind mindfulness training uses a standardised protocol based on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. It consists of 8 weekly group sessions of 90 minutes for youth with ADHD, and parallel mindful parenting training for the parents. Eight weeks after the last session there is a single 90 minutes booster session.

According to the Dutch Multidisciplinary guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, care-as-usual for children aged 8-16 years with ADHD consists of psycho-education and the prescription of medication approved for ADHD and/or evidence-based parent and/or teacher-administered behaviour therapy, preferably both medication and behaviour therapy. First-line option for medication is a psychostimulant, second-line option is atomoxetine, and third-line options are alpha-2 presynaptic agonists or tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine).