Training in Tranquil Abiding Meditation as a Treatment for Core Symptoms and a Cognitive Remediation Program of Executive Functions in Young Adults With ADHD: A Pilot Study

This exploratory study aims to verify whether a meditation program, training in tranquil abiding (TTA), characterized by strict concentration training, is feasible and leads to a reduction of core symptoms, improvement of executive functions, and clinical improvement in young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Six female participants with ADHD, with no experience in meditation, completed a 9-week TTA program (object: the nature of the mind; 90 min weekly meetings; individual daily practices; a 1-day final retreat). Sociodemographic, personality, expectation, and satisfaction questionnaires, as well as logbooks and neuropsychological tools (CAARS, BRIEF-A, D2-R, CPT-3), have been used. Wilcoxon tests with the effects size (Cohen's d) and matched-pairs rank-biserial correlation coefficients (r(prb)) were used to verify pre/post and post/postretreat changes. The clinical changes (Reliable Change Index-Jacobson & Truax, 1991) have also been calculated for each participant. As a treatment of core symptoms and a cognitive remediation program for young adults with ADHD, TTA seems feasible. TTA seems to provide a very marked (d > 1.20) reduction of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity symptoms and improvement of concentration, alertness, discrimination, emotional regulation, initiate, planning, and organization, as well as a distinct (d > 0.80) improvement of sustained attention, working memory, and inhibition. The clinical rate of improvement is high for inattention, global symptoms of ADHD, emotional regulation, alertness, and organization. TTA could be considered as a cognitive remediation method and requires that the instructor really master its practical and theoretical aspects.