Assessing willingness and preference for body scan practices in ADHD: a survey study

Summary & key facts

Researchers asked 157 adults with ADHD about a short kind of mindfulness called the body scan. A body scan is a guided practice where you slowly pay attention to sensations in different parts of your body. Most people in the survey were not already doing mindfulness, but they said they were willing to try a body scan and thought it was practical to do. People with more severe symptoms and those with a quiet space at home were more likely to say they would try it. Many said they would prefer professional classes and doing 1–2 body scan sessions per week. This was a survey about willingness and preferences, not a test of whether body scans actually help ADHD symptoms, but the findings support doing larger studies to develop and test a body-scan program for people with ADHD.

Key facts:

• 157 people with ADHD answered an online survey about body scan mindfulness practices.
• Most respondents were not currently practising mindfulness, but most said they were willing to try a body scan and thought it was feasible to do.
• People who reported worse ADHD symptoms and people who had available quiet space were more likely to say they would try body scans.
• Respondents showed a preference for professional-led classes and for doing body scan practices about one to two times per week.
• This study was a survey of preferences and willingness. It did not measure whether body scans reduce ADHD symptoms, so it cannot show that the practice helps clinically.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition, but current treatment options are limited. Although medication is widely used, it does not fully address all challenges and can result in considerable side effects. One approach showing promise in alleviating symptoms is mindfulness. However, typical mindfulness-based stress reduction programmes require a significant time commitment, resulting in high attrition. Researchers have therefore started to focus on discrete components on mindfulness, including the body scan meditation. METHODS: Before embarking on large-scale trials, it is helpful to understand the willingness and preferences for body scan practice. Using an online survey, we examined current mindfulness exercises and preferences, willingness, belief that it was feasible to engage in body scan practices in 157 individuals with ADHD. RESULTS: We found that most were not currently practising mindfulness but were willing to do so and believed that it was feasible. Symptom severity and available space were predictors of willingness. Preferences were shown for professional classes and 1-2 body scan practices per week. These data indicate people with ADHD are willing to engage with body scan practices, supporting the implementation of large-scale studies. CONCLUSIONS: The result provides insights to support the co-development of an intervention based on body scan meditation to manage the difficulties and the design of future studies to investigate its efficacy.

Topics

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Pain Management and Placebo Effect

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Psychiatry and Mental health

Tags

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Clinical psychology Economics Intervention (counseling) Meditation Microeconomics Mindfulness Philosophy Preference Psychiatry Psychology Theology

Conditions & symptoms

ADHD Difficulty focusing