Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39676250›Full record

Trial reportScandinavian journal of psychology2025

Can a Universal Mindfulness Intervention in Schools Reduce ADHD Symptoms among Adolescents? A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Marianne Holopainen, Mirka Hintsanen, Jari Lahti, Tero Vahlberg, Salla-Maarit Volanen

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Scandinavian journal of psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Marianne HolopainenDoctoral Programme in Human Behaviour, University of Helsinki Doctoral School, Helsinki, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9765-8666
Mirka HintsanenUnit of Psychology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2673-0901
Jari LahtiDepartment of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Tero VahlbergDepartment of Biostatistics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Salla-Maarit VolanenFolkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.

Funding

Emil Aaltonen FoundationFolkhälsan Research CenterJuho Vainio FoundationMats Brommels FoundationNiilo Helander FoundationSigne and Ane Gylleberg FoundationSwedish Cultural FoundationYrjö Jahnsson Foundation
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Existing studies suggest that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can reduce ADHD symptoms when delivered as targeted clinical programs to young people diagnosed with ADHD. However, there is currently a lack of research on whether MBIs are effective in reducing elevated ADHD symptoms when delivered as universal programs to whole classes in schools. This study investigated the effects of a universal nine-week MBI (.b program) on students' elevated ADHD symptoms using an cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. The modifying effects of pupils' baseline characteristics (gender, age, and socioeconomic status) and home-practice intensity were examined. A total of 3519 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years from Finnish schools were randomized into an MBI group, a relaxation-based active-control group, and a passive-control group. ADHD symptoms were measured at baseline (T0), at nine weeks (T9), and at 26-weeks (T26, follow-up) using parent-reported assessments. The study found no positive intervention effects on parent-reported ADHD symptoms in the MBI group compared to the control groups. Neither boys nor girls benefited from the MBI. The same was true of different age groups and socioeconomic levels. Moreover, regular home practice during the follow-up period did not strengthen the intervention effects. The results do not support the use of brief, universal MBIs in whole school classes as part of the routine curriculum to reduce elevated ADHD symptoms in adolescents. Further research is essential to identify optimal content and delivery methods for MBIs in schools. Particularly among adolescents with elevated ADHD symptoms, targeted MBIs, adapted to the unique needs of this subgroup, should be examined. Trial Registration: Healthy Learning Mind-a school-based mindfulness and relaxation program: a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) ISRCTN18642659 retrospectively registered on 13 October 2015. The full trial protocol can be accessed at http://rdcu.be/t57S.

Indexed as

Attention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityMindfulnessAdolescentChildFemaleFinlandHumansMaleSchoolsStudentsADHDadolescencemindfulnessschooluniversal interventions

Identifiers

PMID39676250
PMCPMC12042731

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.