A 2010 study by H. L. Chiang and co-workers published in the "Journal of Sleep Research" revealed that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience sleep disorders. Common problems noted in this sample included early bed time, late rise time, extended nocturnal sleep, frequent daytime napping, insomnia, sleep terrors, sleep-talking, snoring and bruxism. When the patients were classified into three distinct subtypes of ADHD diagnosis, three unique sleep patterns emerged as well. Fortunately, several treatment options prove available to children struggling with the ADHD condition.
Dietary Restriction
A relatively simple change in diet may benefit preschool children with ADHD. A 2008 review by J. K. Ghuman and associates offered in the "Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology" suggested that an additive-free diet proved effective in improving the symptoms of ADHD. In addition, according to a 2010 report by L. M. Pelsser and colleagues presented in the "European Journal of Pediatrics," a diet free of artificial ingredients and salicylates decreased physical complaints and increased sleep quality in ADHD children from four to eight years old. These effects, unfortunately, appeared without concomitant improvements in behavior.
Pharmacological Interventions
Physicians should only medicate children when necessary. Yet it is justified in the more extreme cases of ADHD since these children have a difficult time functioning. The J. K. Ghuman and associates review noted above also suggested that the stimulant methylphenidate--Ritalin--proved effective in ADHD. Stimulant use is typically associated with negative changes in sleep quality. Yet a 2010 report by H. W. Kim and colleagues published in "International Clinical Psychopharmacology" showed that methylphenidate surprisingly increased Stage 2 sleep and decreased nighttime awakening in ADHD children of unspecified ages.
Hormonal Treatments
Melatonin is a natural substance produced by the pineal gland. When taken in a pill form, the hormone has been shown to positively affect sleep quality. For example, a 2007 experiment by P. Lemoine and associates offered in the "Journal of Sleep Research" found that exogenous melatonin enhanced the sleep of older people with insomnia. Similar results have been obtained in younger people with ADHD. According to a 2010 review by L. M. Bendz and A. C. Scates presented in the "Annals of Pharmacology," oral melatonin (3-6 mg) is effective at improving the sleep of ADHD children (6-14 years old). More importantly, they obtained these positive results without significant side effects.
Combined Effects
It is interesting to note that a 2006 report by M. D. Weiss and co-workers published in the "Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry" looked at the combined effects of stimulants and hormones in a sample of preteens and teenagers. These researchers found that 30 days of treatment with exogenous melatonin--5 mg--proved effective in ADHD children between the ages of 6 to 14 who take oral stimulants. This reduced sleep onset latency by an average of 16 minutes. Yet the hormone had no impact on typical ADHD behaviors.
References
- "Journal of Sleep Research"; Association between...; H. L. Chiang et al.; April 7, 2010
- "Journal of Child and ..."; Psychopharmacological...; J. K. Ghuman et al.; October 2008
- "European Journal of Pediatrics"; Effects of food...; L. M. Pelsser et al.; April 17, 2010
- "International Clinical Psychopharmacology"; Effect of...; H. W. Kim et al., March 2010
- "Journal of Sleep Research"; Prolonged release...; P. Lemoine et al.; December 2007
