Effectiveness of Exercise on Sleep Quality in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sports Medicine
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Sleep disturbances are common in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Exercise is increasingly explored as a non-pharmacological intervention for various health conditions, including sleep issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the effects of exercise training programs on sleep quality in individuals with ADHD.
• To evaluate the impact of exercise on both subjective and objective sleep parameters in this population.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across five electronic databases up to March 2024.
• Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) scales.
• Included studies comprised randomized clinical trials, non-randomized comparative studies, and single-arm trials.

Main Results:

• Seven studies analyzed self-reported sleep quality, generally indicating positive effects of exercise.
• Three studies examined objective sleep status; a meta-analysis of 131 participants showed a non-significant trend towards increased objective sleep duration (Hedges' g -2.67, p = 0.185).
• Exercise appears safe for individuals with ADHD, but its efficacy for sleep disturbances is uncertain.

Conclusions:

• Exercise interventions show promise for improving self-reported sleep quality in individuals with ADHD.
• The current evidence does not confirm the efficacy of exercise in significantly improving objective sleep duration for this population.