Does AI mindfulness actually work for ADHD?
By Siri Bandagiriye · No app should claim to treat ADHD; it's best assessed and supported by a professional. Some people with ADHD do find short guided practices, like a three-minute body scan or guided breathing, easier than sitting in silence.
I'll be honest: Saati isn't designed specifically for ADHD, and I'd be cautious of any app that promises to treat it. ADHD is best assessed and supported by a professional.
That said, some people with ADHD find short, guided practices easier than sitting in silence. A three-minute body scan or a breathing exercise with a voice to follow gives the mind something to hold.
In my experience teaching meditation, short and often beats long and rare, especially for a busy mind.
What the research says
A review of 31 studies found mindfulness improved ADHD symptoms compared with waiting lists, but effects were low or negligible against active treatments, so it suits as a complement rather than a replacement.1
A 2022 meta-analysis of randomized trials in children and teens with ADHD found mindfulness programs had a large effect on ADHD symptoms. These were not app-based studies.2
Written by Siri Bandagiriye
I've been a Buddhist monk and mindfulness teacher for 30 years, and for six years a chaplain with Correctional Service Canada, sitting with people in crisis. I built Saati in Halifax as a companion for the ordinary hard days. If you'd like to see what it's like, it's free to try.