Open Access
ARTICLE
Mind-Body Exercises (Yoga/Tai Chi) for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Quantitative Evidence of Experimental Studies
Erfei Zuo1, Yanjie Zhang2, Qian Yu2, Tianyou Guo2, Can Jiao2, Ye Yu3, Patrick Müller4, Xinli Chi2, Md Mahhub Hossain5, Albert S. Yeung6, Notger G. Müller4, Liye Zou2,*
1 School of Physical Education, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, 423099, China
2 Exercise and Mental Health Laboratory, Research Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
3 School of Physical Education, Changsha Normal University, Changsha, 410000, China
4 Research Group Neuroprotection, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany
5 Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
6 Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
* Corresponding Author: Liye Zou. Email:
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2020, 22(4), 221-231. https://doi.org/10.32604/IJMHP.2020.014552
Received 07 October 2020; Accepted 16 November 2020; Issue published 22 December 2020
Abstract
Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a
common pediatric psychiatric disorder. Although mindful exercises (Yoga and
Tai Chi) have been increasingly accepted as alternative medicine for ADHD,
no meta-analytic review has been conducted on this topic.
Objective: We systematically and critically evaluated the existing literature regarding the effects of the
two most widely practiced mindful exercises on ADHD symptoms and social problems in children and adolescents with ADHD.
Methods: Searching literature
databases included PubMed, Web of Science, Scope, China National Knowledge
Infrastructure and Wanfang. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) and nonrandomized controlled studies (NRS) that investigated the beneficial effects of
Yoga and/or Tai Chi for ADHD were included in this review. Two review authors
independently performed literature search, data extraction, and study quality
assessment. Based on the random-effect model, standardized mean difference
(SMD) reflects magnitude of mindful exercises was calculated.
Results: Seven
eligible studies (5 RCTs and 2 NRS) were included for meta-analysis. As compared to control groups, mindful exercises showed significant positive effects
on attention (SMD = 0.93, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.48,
p < 0.001, I2 = 36%), hyperactivity/impulsivity (SMD = 0.93, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.34,
p < 0.001, I2 = 60.17%),
overall symptoms of ADHD (SMD = 0.84, 95% CI 0.3 to 1.38,
p < 0.05,
I2 = 54.61%), and social problems (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI −0.01 to 0.98,
p < 0.05, I2 = 0%).
Conclusions: Yoga and Tai Chi may have the potential to
alleviate the symptoms and social problems among children and adolescents with
ADHD. More robust studies with large sample sizes are needed to validate results
of the present meta-analytical review.
Keywords
Cite This Article
Zuo, E., Zhang, Y., Yu, Q., Guo, T., Jiao, C. et al. (2020). Mind-Body Exercises (Yoga/Tai Chi) for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Quantitative Evidence of Experimental Studies.
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 22(4), 221–231.