Effect of Yoga on Anxiety of Parents and Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 8 weeks Yoga training on anxiety of parents and children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). A total of 20 children with ADHD and their parents (20 fathers and 20 mothers) participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to exercise and no-exercise control groups. Parents in the exercise groups exercised Yoga for 8 weeks, two times per week. Anxiety of parents and anxiety of their children were assessed at baseline and two days after intervention using Achenbach and Catell questionnaires respectively. To analyze data, two factor mixed model ANOVA was used. Results showed that Yoga training by parent's significantly decreased anxiety of mothers and children while anxiety of the fathers was not significantly changed. The participants of all three control groups did not show significant changes in their anxiety. The findings of the present study indicate that Yoga could be considered as a mediator variable for modifying anxiety of children with ADHD.