Evaluating the Impact of Brief Mindfulness Practices on Inhibitory Control and Attention in Adults with Self-Reported ADHD Symptoms

Abstract

People who have Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often find it hard to control their behavior and keep their attention. Even though MBIs indicated improvement in executive functions, very brief practices are still unproven. Researchers tested whether a 10-minute mindfulness practice—Five Senses Check-In plus Box Breathing—could make it easier for young adults with ADHD symptoms to perform the Flanker task. Those aged 18 to 35 who had finished Eriksen Flanker at base completed the study and they were assigned to mindfulness (n = 23) or no‑training control (n = 23) groups using a random process. Following the original intervention, all individuals carried out a second Flanker block using new response keys. We studied Flanker Interference (as a measure of inhibitory control), accuracy and reaction time (RT). Mindfulness training caused significantly lower interference (–112 ms) and shorter RTs (–150 ms) in the task. Post-tests were more accurate in the control group (t(44) = 2.33, p =.024), although there was no difference between groups in interference or RT. Very brief mindfulness did not help increase cognitive abilities, so people with ADHD are advised to train more or for longer periods.