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Abstract

A Review and a Proposal for Reducing the Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents by Combining Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training and Methylphenidate Medication as a Treatment

Kirti Sharma, Dept. of Biology, with Prof. Mary Boyes, VCU Honors College

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder among adolescents that may lead to impaired executive functioning and poor mental development. In 2018, the National Health Interview Survey reported that from 1997 to 2016, the prevalence of ADHD significantly increased from 6.1% to 10.2% in children and adolescents (age 4 to 17 years). Medication, such as methylphenidate, is considered as first-line therapy for reducing symptoms of ADHD. However, medication may produce adverse side-effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and stress. Also, due to its lack of long-term effectiveness, medication may inflict an extra financial burden on the families of adolescents with ADHD. To balance the challenges of medication-based therapy, extant psychological research has shown that mindfulness-based practices are also efficacious in managing symptoms of ADHD. A review of two bodies of scientific research was conducted: (a) the use of medication for treating ADHD, and (b) the use of mindfulness-based practices as a therapy for ADHD in children and adolescents. The research analysis revealed that in most cases, higher doses of methylphenidate is needed to effectively counter ADHD symptoms, leading to a significant cost burden for the families. The review of the literature related to mindfulness-based practices for treating ADHD indicated its effectiveness in attention-regulation, cost-effectiveness, and long-term effects. Based on the analysis, it is proposed that a treatment combining methylphenidate medication and the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, a mindfulness-based practice, could be an effective therapy for reducing the symptoms of ADHD in adolescents. The findings from this study may add to the conventional medication-based methods for treating ADHD in adolescents by combining with mindfulness-based practices.

Publication Date

2020

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Prof. Mary Boyes

Sponsorship

Virginia Commonwealth University. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

Is Part Of

VCU Undergraduate Research Posters

Rights

© The Author(s)

A Review and a Proposal for Reducing the Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents by Combining Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training and Methylphenidate Medication as a Treatment

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