Five-Minutes of Mindfulness: Utilizing Guided Meditation to Supplement ADHD Treatment Plans in Adolescents

Background: ADHD can impair functioning in multiple areas (i.e., social relationships and academic/work productivity); pharmacological, behavioral, or combination treatment is recommended given its association with long-term adverse outcomes. Due to an individual’s varying experience with a treatment’s benefits or side-effects, a multitude of options should be available. One newer behavioral treatment option is mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs).Objectives: The objectives of this project were to pilot implementation of an MBI as a supplemental treatment in patients 12 to 19 years old with ADHD at a pediatric behavioral health clinic and to observe a decrease in their ADHD symptom severity and insomnia severity.Methods: The nurse practitioners and student investigator implemented the MBI during an office visit. Participants were educated about MBIs then instructed to practice a five-minute guided meditation daily for four weeks. Impact was measured by comparing pre- and post-intervention NICHQ Vanderbilt Symptom Scale Scores and Pediatric Insomnia Severity Index (PISI) scores along with analyzing patient evaluation feedback. Knowledge for future project sustainability and expansion was generated from provider, patient, and family feedback. Results: There was an observed 41% decrease in Vanderbilt total symptom scores, 60% decrease in hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms, and 27% decrease in inattentive symptoms. The PISI scores decreased by 53%, indicating a positive impact on sleep quality and habits. Participants largely believed the guided meditation had a positive impact on stress, relationships, and everyday life; all planned on continuing to use the guided meditation. The impact of the global COVID19 pandemic, an unexpected high rate of refusal or resistance to participation, the high percentage of telehealth virtual visits, and a failure to complete the intervention all contributed to a smaller than anticipated sample size (n = 3). Conclusion: Despite the unexpectedly small sample size, the results demonstrate that using an MBI, such as a guided meditation, as a treatment supplement can positively impact ADHD symptoms and sleep; patients also perceive a positive effect on stress, relationships, and everyday life. This project also identified potential barriers and facilitators to widescale MBI implementation with this population; this knowledge will inform future efforts of sustainability and expansion.Doctor of Nursing Practic