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Using Brain Activation (nir-HEG/Q-EEG) and Execution Measures (CPTs) in a ADHD Assessment Protocol
Published on: April 1, 2018
Effectiveness of a virtual reality-based mindfulness intervention for ADHD symptoms in college students: A randomized
Youn-Soo Lee1, Jaesang Hwang2, Bo-Young Youn1,3
1Department of Digital Healthcare, College of Health and Medical Science, Daejeon University, Republic of Korea.
Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness intervention in reducing ADHD symptoms and improving cognitive and psychosocial outcomes among college students, compared to a non-immersive, video-based mindfulness control.
Methods:
In this trial, 64 college students screening positive for ADHD symptoms (ASRS v1.1) were randomized 1:1 to an intervention group using the Headspace application on the Meta Quest Pro headset or a control group watching a guided meditation video; after six withdrawals, 58 participants (29 per group) were included in the per-protocol analysis. Both groups participated in three supervised sessions per week over four weeks (12 sessions total). Primary outcomes were ADHD symptom severity (ASRS v1.1) and cognitive-motor reaction time (BlazePod™). Secondary outcomes included depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), sleep quality (PSQI), academic engagement (UWES), and self-efficacy (GSE), assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention.
Results:
Compared to the control group, the intervention group achieved significantly greater reductions in ASRS scores (-5.8 vs. -2.3 points; p < 0.001) and right-leg reaction times (-157.4 vs. -88.4 ms; p = 0.028; not significant after Holm correction, adjusted p = 0.056). The intervention group showed significantly larger improvements in depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, and academic engagement (p < 0.01 for all). Self-efficacy improved in both groups with no significant between-group difference (p = 0.151). Adverse events leading to withdrawal occurred in four participants: two in the VR group (severe motion sickness/cybersickness) and two in the control group (severe enteritis, unrelated to the intervention).
Conclusion:
A four-week VR-based mindfulness intervention produced greater improvements in ADHD symptoms and related psychosocial outcomes compared to a video-based control in college students. These findings support further investigation of VR as a digital therapeutic adjunct for adult ADHD symptoms.
