Mind Wandering (Internal Distractibility) in ADHD: A Literature Review.

Mind wandering, the unintended shifting of attention from a task, has been previously associated with symptoms of ADHD. To this end, we conducted a literature search to investigate the association between mind wandering and ADHD. We conducted a systematic search of the literature of relevant articles assessing mind wandering and ADHD in PubMed, PsycINFO/OVID, and Medline. Included were original articles in English that had operationalized definitions of ADHD and mind wandering, adequate sample size, and reliance on statistical evaluation of findings. Excluded were reviews, opinions, and case reports. Only nine studies met our a priori inclusion and exclusion criteria ( = 8 in adults; = 1 in pediatrics). Findings suggest that ADHD is frequently associated with spontaneous mind wandering and when present heralds more functional impairments. The limited research on mind wandering in ADHD indicates that it is prevalent and morbid supporting further research on the subject.