Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Individuals with ADHD often face challenges such as anxiety, depression, academic difficulties, and low self-esteem. Mindfulness practices, including mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, have been shown to alleviate some of these symptoms by encouraging individuals to focus on the present moment with intention and without judgment. However, the requirement for specific meditation postures can pose difficulties for those with high ADHD tendencies.
To investigate this issue, a team of researchers led by Dr. Ayano Fukuichi from Ritsumeikan University, alongside Professors Takafumi Wakita and Genji Sugamura from Kansai University, conducted a study examining the ease of meditation in various postures among participants. Their findings were published on August 6, 2024, in Japanese Psychological Research.
Dr. Fukuichi noted that while mindfulness programs exist for individuals with ADHD, challenges remain in practicing mindfulness meditation effectively. The study aimed to explore postures that could facilitate meditation for both high and low ADHD tendency participants without requiring special equipment.
Participants were divided into four groups: combined, hyperactive/impulsive, inattentive, and those without ADHD tendencies. They performed body-scan meditations in four postures: upright, slumped, leaning back, and supine, then completed a questionnaire assessing their experiences.
To evaluate the participants’ responses, researchers developed the Mindfulness Encouraging Reactions Scale (MERS) and the Mindfulness Discouraging Reactions Scale (MDRS). The results indicated that participants with hyperactivity and impulsivity found body-scan meditation more challenging in a slumped posture, while upright and supine positions were easier to manage. These findings suggest that individuals with hyperactive or impulsive tendencies may benefit from adopting upright or supine postures to enhance their meditation practice.
The MERS and MDRS scales developed during the study can assist psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and other health professionals in determining effective meditation interventions tailored to various psychological profiles. They can also facilitate the evaluation and planning of these interventions.
“This is the first study to create a scale for assessing the ease or difficulty of practicing mindfulness meditation,” Dr. Fukuichi concluded. “Our findings underscore essential considerations for meditation practices aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with ADHD.”
