Popular interventions to enhance sustained attention in children and adolescents: A critical systematic review

Slattery, Eadaoin J.; O’Callaghan, Eoin; Ryan, Patrick; Fortune, Dónal G.; McAvinue, Laura P.

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104633

Cited by 18 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 111 publications

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“…Although there were no significant differences between the two interventions, both arms appear to improve over time in both primary and secondary outcomes although the improvement was only small to moderate, and for MYmind, the attention score only improved at 6 months post-intervention. Findings from a systematic review suggested the benefits of mindfulness training for improving attention control among children [48] although the effect size is smaller in our present study and the effect was demonstrated only at 6 months. We are unsure about the reasons for only observing significant improvement at 6 months post-intervention but note that previous studies on clinical outcomes also showed mindfulness may show its effects after 5-6 months [49][50][51].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 82%

The Effects of Mindfulness for Youth (MYmind) versus Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Improving Attention and Reducing Behavioral Problems among Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Parents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Wong,

Chan,

Yip

et al. 2023

Psychother Psychosom

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Introduction: There is a lack of studies evaluating mindfulness-based interventions for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with an evidence-based control. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the effects of mindfulness for youth (MYmind) in improving children’s attention, behavior, and parent-related outcomes versus cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Methods: A total of 138 families of children with ADHD aged 8–12 years were recruited from the community with 69 randomized to MYmind and 69 to CBT. Participants were assessed at baseline, immediately after intervention, at 3 months and 6 months. The primary outcome was the attention score of the Sky Search subtest of the Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch). Secondary outcomes were child behavior and parent-related assessments. Linear mixed models were used to assess the efficacy of MYmind compared with CBT. Results: Both MYmind and CBT significantly improved children’s attention score at 6 months (MYmind: β = 1.48, p = 0.013, Cohen’s d = 0.32; CBT: β = 1.46, p = 0.008, d = 0.27). There were significant within-group improvements in most secondary outcomes. No significant difference was shown for both primary or secondary outcomes between the two arms at any time point. Conclusions: Both MYmind and CBT appeared to improve children’s attention and behavior outcomes, although no difference was found between these two interventions. This is the largest RCT so far comparing MYmind and CBT although there was loss of follow-up assessments during the pandemic. Further RCTs adopting a non-inferiority design are needed to validate the results.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 82%

The Effects of Mindfulness for Youth (MYmind) versus Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Improving Attention and Reducing Behavioral Problems among Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Parents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Wong,

Chan,

Yip

et al. 2023

Psychother Psychosom

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“…In this sense, PA stimulates and promotes cognitive and motor skills in the ADHD population [72] and may help to reduce symptoms [73]. As an example of cognitive enhancements, exercise has been proven to benefit not only executive function [74][75][76][77] but attentional processes too [19][20][21][22]. Nevertheless, any previous PL intervention aimed to increase PA within this population has targeted the improvement of attention capacity and its quality as an indirect consequence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Attention problems are a major issue for ADHD, and require proper diagnosis and management [16][17][18]. PA's benefits have been observed in sustained attention and the quality of attention [19][20][21][22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a 4-Week After-School Physical Literacy Program on Health-Related Quality of Life and Symptomatology in Schoolchildren with ADHD: A Study Protocol

et al. 2023

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Research has shown that physical activity programs led to improvements in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, no study evaluating the impact of a physical literacy (PL) program has been conducted. This study aims to examine PL and the effects of an after-school PL program on Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and ADHD symptomatology including quality and sustained attention. A parallel-group randomised controlled trial will be conducted assessing PL, HRQoL and ADHD symptomatology, both at the beginning and the end of the PL after-school program implementation. The program will last 4 weeks, including two sessions per week lasting 55 min. Sessions will be divided into several parts: greeting (5 min), block I (20 min), block II (20 min) and relaxation and feedback (10 min). Block I will focus on the acquisition of content that contributes to the development of the domains of knowledge and understanding and daily activity; and block II, in addition to favouring physical competence, will seek to improve motivation. If this program proves its effectiveness, it could be an alternative to be included in educational systems, representing a scientific breakthrough regarding physical activity adherence and inactivity-related disease prevention, HRQoL and management of ADHD-associated symptomatology.

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“…Regarding its effects on attention, a recent systematic review notes that mindfulness-based training and other meditative practices improve children's sustained attention or concentration to a greater extent than effortful cognitive training, for which no reliable improvement in attention is found. However, the review concludes that the level of evidence is preliminary [102].…”

Section: Meditation Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effortless attention trainings: The intersection of attention and mental health in children and teenagers

M. Guiote,

Ángel Vallejo,

Mas

2023

Mental Health of Children and Adolescents in the 21st Century [Working Title]

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This chapter presents several effortless attention trainings—mindfulness, yoga, qigong, nature exposure and more especially, autogenic meditation—which not only improve attention but also facilitate stress reduction and emotional regulation. Cultivating serene attention is a relevant strategy to promote mental health and well-being in children and teenagers. Fostering serene attention plays a fundamental role in shaping life experience because part of the individual’s identity and knowledge is founded on what they pay attention to—their conscious experience. By training children and teenagers to focus and direct their attention from a calm state of mind, we allow them to mould their own conscious experiences, laying the foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life.

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Popular interventions to enhance sustained attention in children and adolescents: A critical systematic review

Cited by 18 publications

References 111 publications

The Effects of Mindfulness for Youth (MYmind) versus Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Improving Attention and Reducing Behavioral Problems among Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Parents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The Effects of Mindfulness for Youth (MYmind) versus Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Improving Attention and Reducing Behavioral Problems among Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Parents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of a 4-Week After-School Physical Literacy Program on Health-Related Quality of Life and Symptomatology in Schoolchildren with ADHD: A Study Protocol

Effortless attention trainings: The intersection of attention and mental health in children and teenagers

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