Practitioner’s Corner—Kids, Meditation, Biofeedback, and Attention Disorders

By Timothy Culbert, M.D.

Q: My daughter has the inattention form of ADHD. Are there any mind-body therapies that might help her focus?

A: Certain forms of relaxation can be very useful. Kids can learn to do diaphragmatic breathing and muscle relaxation, which they can use on their own to help themselves calm down and concentrate better.

Meditation can be helpful, too, but the child would need to practice it on a daily basis to get any lasting benefit.

Kids who receive regular massages often show decreases in hyperactivity and impulsivity. In one study, parents were trained to massage their children, and that worked very well. Biofeedback, in which children learn to control their heart rate or muscle tension, is worth trying, too. To find a good practitioner, your best bet is to check with a child psychologist, behavioral pediatrician, or pediatric nurse-practitioner who specializes in this area.