Table 1 Content of MBCT programme for ADHD per session
Theme of the session | Mindfulness exercises | (Psycho-)education | Homework |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Automatic pilot | - 3-min breathing space | - Rationale of mindfulness for ADHD | - 3-min breathing space |
- Raisin exercise | - Introduction in methods to integrate mindfulness in daily life: Support, Structure and Strategy (3 S’s) | - Attention for a routine activity | |
- Bodyscan | - Mindful eating | ||
- Optional: bodyscan | |||
2. Dealing with barriers | - Bodyscan | - Imagery exercise to demonstrate relationship between thoughts and feelings | - 3-min breathing space |
- Attention for a routine activity | |||
- Bodyscan | |||
- Sitting meditation with focus on breath | - Exploration of application of the 3 S’s | - Awareness of pleasant events | |
- 3-min breathing space | |||
3. Mindfulness of the breath | - Sitting meditation with focus on breath, body | - Seeing exercise a) to demonstrate the difference between observation and interpretation, b) to discuss dealing with sensory input | - 3-min breathing space |
- Floor yoga or sitting meditation | |||
- 3-min breathing space | - Exploration of pleasant events | - Awareness of unpleasant events | |
- Floor yoga practices | |||
- Walking meditation | |||
4. Staying present | - Sitting meditation with focus on breath, body, sounds | - Exploration of unpleasant events with attention for the interrelatedness of feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations | - 3-min breathing space |
- Sitting meditation | |||
- 3-min breathing space | - Exercise focused on recognition and dealing with ADHD core symptoms | - Awareness of top 3 ADHD symptoms | |
- Walking meditation | |||
5. Allowing and letting be | - Sitting meditation with focus on breath, body, sounds, thoughts and feelings | - Reflection on intention of participating | - 3-min breathing space |
- Psycho-education about reacting versus responding in stressful situations and when ADHD symptoms are severe | - Sitting meditation or standing yoga | ||
- 3-min breathing space ‘coping’ |  | - Awareness of communication difficulties | |
- Standing yoga practices | |||
6. Mindful communication | - Standing yoga practices | - Exercise in mindful listening and speaking | - 3-min breathing space |
- 3-min breathing space | - Non-verbal communication exercise | - Sitting meditation or standing yoga | |
- Mindful listening and speaking | |||
Silent day | - Varying meditation exercises | Â | Â |
- Silent lunch and tea break | |||
7. Taking care of yourself | - Sitting meditation with focus on breath, body, sounds, thoughts, emotions an choiceless awareness | - Exercise on taking care of yourself by examining how to improve balance in life | - 3-min breathing space |
- Practice without CDs | |||
- Reflect on training | |||
- 3-min breathing space | - Making an action plan | ||
8. The rest of your life | - Bodyscan | - Reflection on the training | Â |
- 3-min breathing space | - Maintaining practice |