Impact of Behavioral Sleep Intervention on Children with ADHD
Introduction to Sleep and ADHD
Recent findings from a clinical trial published in the British Medical Journal indicate that behavioral sleep interventions can significantly enhance school attendance and alleviate ADHD symptoms in children. Sleep plays an essential role in the well-being of adolescents, as inadequate rest can lead to a decline in quality of life and academic success. Sleep deprivation adversely affects behavioral issues, daily functioning, mental health, and attendance at school. Common sleep challenges include difficulties in falling and staying asleep, and children with ADHD experience these issues more frequently than their peers.
The Connection Between Sleep and ADHD Symptoms
The question arises: does insufficient sleep exacerbate ADHD symptoms? Australian researchers, led by Frank Oberklaid from the University of Melbourne, explored whether improving sleep quality in children with ADHD could enhance their daily functioning. Their 2015 study demonstrated that children who received support for better sleep exhibited improvements in ADHD symptoms after three to six months, particularly in concentration as reported by parents and teachers. The study also noted secondary benefits, such as enhanced quality of life for the children and reduced instances of parents being late or missing work due to the children’s improved morning routines.
Details of the ‘Sleeping Sound with ADHD Study’
The ‘Sleeping Sound with ADHD Study’ was a randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the effects of behavioral sleep interventions on children with ADHD and sleep difficulties. This blind trial ensured that teachers, doctors, and researchers were unaware of which children received the intervention, while parents were informed and could share this information with educators and healthcare providers. This could potentially influence the objectivity of the reporting.
The study involved 244 children aged 5 to 12 years, all diagnosed with ADHD. Participants were divided into two groups: one received sleep interventions while the other continued with standard routines. Parents in the intervention group received coaching from psychologists or pediatricians on effective sleep practices. The interventions included strategies for improving sleep hygiene and developing individualized behavioral plans based on each child’s specific sleep disorder.
Assessing Outcomes
At the start of the study, and at three and six months intervals, parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals completed questionnaires related to ADHD symptoms, quality of life, school performance, behavioral issues, attendance, and time management.
After establishing that children in the intervention group experienced better sleep at the three and six-month marks, researchers examined the impact of sleep on behavior. Overall, the intervention group showed a reduction in ADHD symptoms compared to the control group. Families in the intervention cohort reported improvements in ADHD symptoms, sleep quality, behavior, health-related quality of life, and daily functioning. Teachers also observed positive changes in the behavior of children receiving treatment.
Considerations and Conclusions
Although the observed changes were modest, the study suggests that improvements in ADHD symptoms were likely linked to increased duration and quality of sleep. The authors argue that addressing sleep issues in children with ADHD can lead to significant and lasting benefits. They emphasize the importance of clinically addressing sleep disturbances, which can yield meaningful improvements across various outcome measures.
Reference
Hiscock, H., Sciberras, E., Mensah, F., Gerner, B., Efron, D., Khano, S., & Oberklaid, F. (2015). Impact of a behavioural sleep intervention on symptoms and sleep in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and parental mental health: randomized controlled trial. BMJ, 350, h68.
Written by Deborah Tallarigo, PhD.