Mind-body exercise may help attention in ADHD. It did not help planning or self-control.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   268 people with ADHD took part in seven trials. Their average ages ranged from about 4 to 35, and the trials were in five countries.

2. 02

   What they did

   Most trials ran yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi classes. The classes lasted 40 to 90 minutes, once to three times a week for 6 to 24 weeks. Comparison groups waited, carried on as usual, did no training, or did another activity such as cycling or group games.

3. 03

   What happened

   Mind-body exercise helped attention more than other groups did, though results varied widely and some were very large. Planning, self-control, mood and hyperactivity did not clearly change. The funnel plot looked lopsided, but a formal check found no clear sign that studies were left out.

What the review found

1. HelpedFocus

   Across five trials, yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi helped attention in people with ADHD more than other groups did.

   Pooled analysis of 5 studies · vs people in a waiting group or their usual life · ⚠ the studies disagreed a lot; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

2. No differenceOther outcomes

   Across five trials, yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi did not improve planning and self-control more than other groups did.

   Pooled analysis of 5 studies · vs people in a waiting group or their usual life · ⚠ the studies disagreed a lot; whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited

Source