Regular Attendance of In-Person and Virtual World Mindfulness Meditation Classes and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Symptoms: Does Practice Time Make a Difference?

Author(s):

Valerie Rice, Paul J Schroeder, and Gary Boykin

Abstract:

Mindfulness meditation training (MMT) is effective at reducing symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity (ADHD) symptoms in military personnel. However, those who attend more of the scheduled classes and spend greater time practicing mindfulness on their own may experience greater symptom reduction. In the current study, 179 US military active-duty service members and veterans completed the attention deficit and hyperactivity current symptoms scale before and after being placed into an in-person (23–27 in-class h) or virtual world MMT (15 in-class h) group or a wait-list control group. Data from volunteers who attended four or more classes (of nine total classes) was analyzed. In-class time and self-reported personal practice time were also assessed and analyzed. For both MMT groups, significant reductions were found in overall ADHD symptoms, as well as in hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention subscales (ps < 0.001). No significant changes in symptoms were found for the control group. Neither in-class time or self-reported personal practice time was significantly correlated with pre/post improvements (ps > 0.05). The results demonstrate that in-person and virtual world remote delivery of MMT are equally effective at reducing ADHD symptoms, and that in-class time and personal practice time did not impact symptom outcomes. As virtual world training required fewer training hours to achieve the same symptom reductions, it may be the preferred program for ADHD symptomatology.