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Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
10:02

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Published on: March 12, 2020

Parent reports of sleep disturbances in stimulant-medicated children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

H D Day1, S B Abmayr

  • 1Texas Woman's University, Denton 76204-5470, USA. F_DAY@twu.edu

Journal of Clinical Psychology
|August 8, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) taking stimulant medication experience more sleep disturbances. Monitoring sleep and offering therapies can help families manage these common ADHD-related sleep issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Child Psychiatry

Background:

  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
  • Stimulant medications are frequently prescribed for ADHD management.
  • Sleep disturbances are often reported in children with ADHD, but the impact of stimulant medication requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the severity of sleep disturbances in children with ADHD on stimulant medication versus other groups.
  • To identify specific categories of sleep problems experienced by children with ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • A structured interview with 40 questions was administered to parents.
  • Parents of 20 medicated children with ADHD, 20 unmedicated children with other psychiatric diagnoses (OPD), and 20 nonclinical controls participated.
  • Sleep disturbances were assessed over a 1-month interval.

Main Results:

  • Parents of children with ADHD reported significantly more sleep problems across all assessed categories.
  • These categories included difficulties settling/going to sleep, sleep disruptions, and morning activities.
  • Between 25% and 50% of parents in the ADHD group reported very frequent difficulties with sleep onset.

Conclusions:

  • Children with ADHD on stimulant medication experience a higher burden of sleep disturbances.
  • Sleep-related behaviors should be monitored in children with ADHD undergoing stimulant treatment.
  • Adjunctive therapies for sleep disturbances may be beneficial for families managing ADHD in children on medication.

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