Experiencing forgetfulness, anxiety, and impulsivity during during the course of our lives is not unusual. However, when it is persistent, and matched with hyperactivity and limited attention, one possibility is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD includes a number of physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms typically, but not always, diagnosed between the age six and forty. According to the American Psychiatric Association, ADHD affects five percent of children in the United States, but the true number is likely higher as many people are undiagnosed.
The disorder is often treated with medication, but because many of the medications used to treat ADHD come with serious side effects, recent research has focused on non-pharmacological interventions, thus providing patients with more treatment options. For children with severe cases of ADHD, behavioral therapy can be beneficial. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported behavioral therapy should be the first step in treating ADHD in young children. However, behavioral therapy, for children or adults, can be cost prohibitive.
Many recent studies have focused on movement-based and mindfulness/meditation-based therapies for ADHD. Compared to pharmacological treatment, there are few unwanted side effects and the cost is minimal. Mind-body therapies are beneficial because they teach the skill of controlling attention and focus to a specific purpose or action (i.e., the breath). Both Tai Chi and yoga can also be practiced at home or school, and videos are also available from reliable sources to help guide the therapy.
Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of Tai Chi as an alternative treatment. In a 2001 study, researchers found that teenagers with ADHD who practiced Tai Chi weren’t as anxious or hyperactive. They also daydreamed less and displayed fewer inappropriate emotions and disruptive patterns. In another study, a group of adolescents diagnosed with ADHD were observed before, during, and after Tai Chi was introduced. After only ten classes, the children experienced a significant reduction in the severity of symptoms.
Another study reported that weekly Tai Chi classes helped children better regulate their ADHD symptoms and improve hyperactivity control and impulsive or inattentive behavior. The researchers studied a group of 8-12 year-olds who took mindful movement training for eight weeks. Using parent assessments and motor control tests, the team concluded that Tai Chi exercises significantly improved the children’s motor control. The students also showed significantly reduced ADHD symptoms, such as hostility, disobedience, and the inability to make decisions.
Mind–body training for parents (some who also have ADHD) has an added benefit. By practicing mindfulness with parenting techniques, parents report better control of the ADHD symptoms of their children. It is probable that the effects of the studies could be due to the intervention itself, as well as the lasting actions of child–parent interactions at home following the mind–body sessions. A parent who learns mindfulness through Tai Chi, yoga, or meditation may improve their methods of response to the child’s behavior, thus allowing the child to learn from the parent as well. Having parents involved also helps maintain practice continuity in the home. Researchers also report that children find Tai Chi fun and engaging.
Current studies suggest that mindfulness is a feasible, effective, and well-accepted intervention in ADHD. However, additional randomized controlled trials are needed to assess long-term effects. Also, it is important to keep in mind that in order to take full advantage of the benefits of Tai Chi, practice must be consistent and regular.