H - 18 Mindfulness-Based Interventions for ADHD in Latinx Children: Opportunities for Culturally Informed Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This literature review examines the current understanding of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) as treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children residing in United States (U.S), with a particular focus on research available for Latinx children. DATA SELECTION: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in February 2023 using four databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, OVID, and Scopus) to identify studies conducted in the U.S. that investigated the use of MBIs for the treatment of ADHD symptoms in school-aged children. The search was limited to studies conducted within the U.S., included participants aged 8 to 12, and specified ADHD as the primary diagnosis. The search terms used included mindfulness, meditation, MBSR, MBCT, children, school-aged, child, ADHD, and attention deficit disorder. The search yielded 155 studies, of which, five were included in the final review. DATA SYNTHESIS: The reviewed studies suggest that MBIs have the potential to improve attention span, reduce ADHD symptoms, and address associated problems such as reducing stress in children with ADHD. However, the number of studies conducted in the U.S. is limited, with none delivered in Spanish. CONCLUSIONS: MBIs show promise for managing ADHD symptoms in children. However, limited research on MBIs with Latinx populations in the US highlights a significant gap in the literature. There is a crucial need for more studies investigating the efficacy of MBIs with diverse populations, especially Spanish-speaking Latinx children who are underrepresented. Researchers must prioritize developing culturally-sensitive MBIs that can be adapted and delivered in Spanish to reduce disparities in access to evidence-based treatments for ADHD.