Mindfulness techniques have shown promise in alleviating symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, individuals with ADHD often struggle with traditional meditation practices. A recent study investigated how different body postures during body-scan meditation impact those with ADHD symptoms. The results indicate that keeping a slumped posture can make meditation more challenging, while lying down or sitting up straight may facilitate the practice for individuals who are more hyperactive or impulsive.
ADHD is a developmental brain disorder characterized by symptoms such as difficulty paying attention, excessive movement, and impulsive actions. Those with ADHD often lack self-control and might also face issues like anxiety, depression, poor academic performance, and a lack of self-esteem. Integrative approaches like mindfulness-based stress management and cognitive therapy can help ease these symptoms by encouraging individuals to focus on the present moment in a non-judgmental way. Yet, the requirement to sit in specific positions can pose challenges for those with more pronounced ADHD symptoms.
To tackle this issue, a research team led by Dr. Ayano Fukuichi from the Research Organization of Open Innovation and Collaboration at Ritsumeikan University (Graduate School of Psychology, Kansai University during the research) in Japan, along with Professors Takafumi Wakita and Genji Sugamura, investigated the comfort of meditating in various positions among participants. The results were published on August 6, 2024, in Japanese Psychological Research.
“Despite the existence of mindfulness programs tailored for ADHD patients, there are still challenges associated with practicing mindfulness meditation. In this study, we looked into different postures that can make meditation easier for both individuals with high and low ADHD tendencies, without requiring special equipment,” explains Dr. Fukuichi.
The research team organized participants into four groups based on their tendencies: hyperactive/impulsive, inattentive, and those without ADHD traits. They participated in body-scan meditations while adopting various postures—upright, slumped, leaning-back sitting, and lying down—and then completed a questionnaire. The study introduced two new tools: the Mindfulness Encouraging Reactions Scale (MERS) and the Mindfulness Discouraging Reactions Scale (MDRS) to capture their experiences.
The findings revealed that individuals with hyperactivity or impulsivity found it more difficult to meditate in a slumped position, while they experienced greater ease in both the supine and upright positions. These results suggest that people who tend to be hyperactive or impulsive should opt for either lying down or sitting up straight to enhance their body-scan meditation practice.
Furthermore, the MERS and MDRS tools created in this study could assist psychiatrists, therapists, and health practitioners in determining effective meditation strategies for those with varied psychological profiles. They may also be beneficial in assessing the practicality of interventions and in strategic planning.
“Our study marks the first effort to develop a scale for evaluating the ease or difficulty of mindfulness meditation practice. Overall, the outcomes of this research underscore vital considerations for facilitating meditation for individuals with ADHD, ultimately aiming to enhance their quality of life,” concludes Dr. Fukuichi.
