Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents significant challenges in management because of the varied cases among patients and differences among strategies that help relieve the disorder’s symptoms. As suggested by Shrestha, Lautenschleger, and Soares (2020), while there is a pharmacological approach toward the disorder’s management, non-pharmacological interventions aimed at children have also been implemented, and yoga is among them. Yoga is a mindful practice subset that encourages building control over physical and mental ability at the same time. The practice enables strategies that increase emotion and behavior regulation skills, which are imperative for consideration in the ADHD diagnosis. The posture control, along with motor skills required in yoga, can improve the symptoms of ADHD through prefrontal cortex activation (Shrestha et al., 2020). Besides, the practice is beneficial for improving cardiovascular health, decreasing the symptoms of stress and depression, and increasing the ability to regulate emotions.
Studies exploring yoga as a non-pharmacological treatment of ADHD found significant benefits. There was an improvement in ADHD symptoms in studies focusing on child and parent-child yoga (Evans et al., 2018). Besides, children’s self-esteem improved with a moderate to significant effect alongside strengthening parent-child relationships (Evans et al., 2018). While the existing studies are limited by the possibility of bias, the overall positive results of yoga practice among children with ADHD show that it can be used as a non-pharmacological intervention for the defined population (Shrestha et al., 2020). However, more research is needed into implementing yoga practice interventions among ADHD children to widen the range of available evidence and draw theoretical and practical recommendations that can be transferred into real life.
References
Evans, S. W., Owens, J. S., Wymbs, B. T., & Ray, A. R. (2018). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology: The Official Journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53, 47(2), 157-198. Web.
Shrestha, M., Lautenschleger, J., & Soares, N. (2020). Non-pharmacologic management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: A review. Translational Pediatrics, 9(Suppl 1), S114–124. Web.