Mindfulness Meditation Improves Mood, Quality of Life, and Attention in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective. Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) display affective problems and impaired attention. Mood in ADHD can be improved by mindful awareness practices (MAP), but results are mixed regarding the enhancement of attentional performance. Here we evaluated MAP-induced changes in quality of life (QoL), mood, and attention in adult ADHD patients and controls using more measures of attention than prior studies.Methods. Twenty-one ADHD patients and 8 healthy controls underwent 8 weekly MAP sessions; 22 similar patients and 9 controls did not undergo the intervention. Mood and QoL were assessed using validated questionnaires, and attention was evaluated using the Attentional Network Test (ANT) and the Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT II), before and after intervention.Results. MAP enhanced sustained attention (ANT) and detectability (CPT II) and improved mood and QoL of patients and controls.Conclusion. MAP is a complementary intervention that improves affect and attention of adults with ADHD and controls.

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Beyond academic outcomes: Occupational profile and quality of life among college students with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0308022618782809 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 82 (3) ◽

pp. 170-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ayelet Goffer ◽

Maayan Cohen ◽

Itai Berger ◽

Adina Maeir

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

College Students ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Occupational Profile ◽

Quality Of Life Scale ◽

Life Scale

Introduction The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to describe the occupational profile and quality of life among college students with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Method Forty college students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 40 controls (mean age 25.81 years, SD = 3.02) were evaluated with the Occupational Questionnaire and the Adult ADHD Quality-of-Life scale. Results The two groups demonstrated similar amounts of time spent in occupational domains, as well as similar ratings of ‘perceived importance’. However, the ‘perceived competence’ and ‘perceived enjoyment’ were significantly lower in the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder group than in the control group in most occupational domains and in the total score. Significant differences, with very large effect sizes, were found between the groups on all measures of the Adult ADHD Quality-of-Life scale. A moderate significant correlation was found between the mean perceived competence score and Adult ADHD Quality-of-Life scale total score within the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder group. Conclusion The results highlight the negative effect of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on quality of life among college students. The perception of competence and enjoyment in occupations may be optimal targets for therapeutic intervention.

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Insomnia Disorder in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Patients: Clinical, Comorbidity, and Treatment Correlates

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.663889 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Christian Fadeuilhe ◽

Constanza Daigre ◽

Vanesa Richarte ◽

Lara Grau-López ◽

Raul F. Palma-Álvarez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Adult Adhd ◽

Rating Scales ◽

Clinical Severity ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Insomnia Disorder ◽

Adhd Treatment

Introduction: Several investigations have been performed on insomnia symptoms in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the relationship between insomnia disorder and adult ADHD has been neglected in research. The main objective of the current study is to analyze the differences between adult ADHD patients with and without insomnia disorder, in terms of ADHD clinical severity, medical and psychiatric comorbidity, psychopharmacological treatment, and quality of life.Material and Methods: Two hundred and fifty-two adult patients with ADHD (mean age 37.60 ± 13.22 years; ADHD presentations—combined: 56.7%, inattentive: 39.7%, hyperactive/impulsive: 3.6%) were evaluated with an exhaustive clinical and psychological evaluation protocol including semistructured interviews (for comorbidities and ADHD assessment) and symptom rating scales for ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD and insomnia disorder was made according to DSM-5 criteria. Furthermore, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were administered.Results: Insomnia disorder was found in 44.4% of adult ADHD patients and was more common in combined presentation (64.3%) and in patients with more ADHD severity. Comorbidities (both medical and psychiatric), especially mood disorders (42%), anxiety disorder (26.8%), personality disorder (39.3%), and any substance use disorder (11.6%), were associated with a higher insomnia disorder prevalence. ADHD stimulant treatment was related to lower insomnia disorder compared to patients without medication, as well as ADHD stable treatment. Additionally, worse health-related quality of life was associated with insomnia disorder.Conclusion: Insomnia disorder is highly prevalent in adult ADHD and is related to higher ADHD severity and more psychiatric and medical comorbidities. Some stimulants and stable pharmacological ADHD treatment are associated with better outcomes of insomnia disorder.

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