Children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) should
spend some quality time outdoors when they are not in school, according
to a nationwide study.
Researchers observed the positive effects spending time outdoors
had on ADHD patients in different regions of the country. Participants,
ages 5-18, spent time in "green" areas, which varied from
big cities to rural settings. The results indicated a dramatic reduction
in symptoms. Researchers believe that simply incorporating nature
with regular after-school and weekend activities could be widely
effective.
In the United States, ADHD affects one in every 14 children --
which is equivalent to one or two in each classroom. About 2 million
school-aged children and as many as 4 percent of adults experience
the symptoms of ADHD. Those with the neurological disorder usually
have problems in school, work and relationships. They often suffer
from depression and substance abuse.
Researchers recruited the parents of 322 boys and 84 girls, all
diagnosed with ADHD, through ads in major newspapers and the Internet.
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Activities were conducted in a variety of areas, including
indoors, parking lots, downtown areas, tree-lined streets, back
yards and parks.
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Researchers then asked parents, through online interviews,
how their children performed during a wide range of activities.
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Reports indicated that symptoms were reduced most in green
outdoor settings, even when the same activities were compared
across different settings.
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In 56 different comparisons, activities in "green areas"
had more positive responses than activities in other settings.
In 54 of the 56, the difference was significant, signaling that
the findings were consistent.
Those involved with the study are excited with the results and
hope they will lead to more research and potential treatment.
While medications for ADHD work for most kids, experts point out
that they are expensive and can have serious side effects, including
loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. Society often places negative
labels upon children with ADHD. Even more disheartening, about 10
percent of ADHD children don't even respond to medication, which
is the most popular form of conventional treatment.
Researchers said that exposing ADHD children to nature is an affordable,
healthy method of controlling symptoms.
They suggest daily doses of "green time" can supplement
medications and other traditional treatments of ADHD.
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Spending time in ordinary urban nature -- a tree-lined street,
a green yard or neighborhood park -- may offer additional relief
from ADHD symptoms when medications aren't enough.
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Some kids might be able to substitute a "green dose"
for their afternoon pill, making it easier to get a good night's
sleep.
Increasing "green time" can
be done by:
- Choosing a greener route for the walk to school
- Doing classwork or homework outside or at a window with a relatively
green view
- Playing in a green yard or ball field at recess and after school
Science
Blog August 28, 2004
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