Literature Review

Thesis

“Meditation practices in an educational setting can prove beneficial for both pupil and staff and may improve stress levels and self-worth, reducing the amount of violence in schools, and help alleviate symptoms of ADHD in children.”

            Learning disorders affect approximately 2 million children, roughly between 5-15% of public school children with a male to female ratio of about 5:1 respectively (Ford-Martin). The three main types are reading, mathematical, and writing. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly referred to as ADHD, is the most common mental health problem in children. A common misconception is that ADHD is not actually a learning disorder, rather a mental disorder (Zieman). However, about half of the children diagnosed with ADHD also experience a learning disability due to the symptoms associated with this disorder (Zieman).

            While the treatment for those with learning disorders is resolved using an education plan to continuously test and revise the education process for these individuals to increase the effectiveness and learning ability, it’s not exactly that simple for those with anxiety, depression, and ADD/ADHD. The most common solution to these problems includes medication of some kind.  However, many parents might argue that the side effects of these medications are too great of a risk. The most common side effects I had experienced, and are listed on medications, were severe nausea leading to vomiting and a loss of appetite. Others are trying other alternative forms of treatment to help control symptoms, such as meditation, neurofeedback, and diet supplements and restrictions to increase brain function.

Neurofeedback is a procedure which helps retrain the brain to concentrate using pictures while monitoring the brain functions. It is expensive, time consuming, and still not proven (Morning Edition). I find it similar to animal obedience training using positive reinforcement to “reward” the brain with an interesting picture once it begins to lose focus.

            Proper nutrition and maintaining a structured daily routine are important in reducing symptoms of ADHD.  Some supplements are said to increase brain functions, such as Omega-3 (fish oil), zinc, and St. John’s wort.  Increasing the levels of melatonin is also believed to help with ADHD symptoms (WebMD).

            Meditation is a practice that was first used in Buddhist and Hindu-based religions in the Asia continent. It wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that this was accepted and used in Western Society. This practice has since shown beneficial in many areas of health, including those who suffer from high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and many others (Chrisman). Meditation practices in an educational setting can prove beneficial for both pupil and staff and may improve stress levels and self-worth, reducing the amount of violence in schools, and help alleviate symptoms of ADHD in children.  A source found in the Health and Wellness Resource Center referring to the benefits of meditation used to treat learning disorders states that “It helps to slow the mind down and take in the surroundings while focusing on the task at hand. “ (Chrisman)

            There are two forms of meditation that are commonly practiced: sitting meditation and movement meditation.  Movement meditation is one of two types that involves movement and is particularly helpful for those who find it difficult to sit still, a symptom of ADHD. There are currently no side effects to practicing meditation. Most insurance companies do not consider meditation a medical procedure or intervention and therefore are not covered (Chrisman). However, many forms of meditation can be practiced with licensed trainers or a local fitness center in your area.

            Movement meditation can be performed through exercises like yoga which is used to increase flexibility and focus on a sound, word, or breath. It helps to cope with stress levels and reduce the anxiety. Mood disturbances and distraction levels are also reduced through this form of meditation (Chrisman). Providing a class for yoga could be placed as an elective on the school curriculum similar to how weight training is applied.

Transcendental meditation is a form of mantra based sitting meditation which involves sitting with eyes closed twice a day for 15-20 minutes. A single word, or mantra, is used as a vehicle to relax the mind. Incorporating transcendental meditation into schools has proven to “decrease stress and stress-related disorders, reduce substance abuse, increase intelligence, increase learning ability, improve memory, improve academic performance, and improve standardized test scores”(TM.org).