Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Sleep in Children.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Melatonin in treating sleep problems in children with ADHD.
Results Summary
The study found that Melatonin is an effective treatment for sleep problems in children with ADHD, though it noted that stimulant treatment for ADHD may disrupt sleep.
Population
Children with ADHD experiencing sleep problems.
Effective Dosage
Not available
Duration
Not available
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | no change | basic assumptions about ADHD in children and sleep | children with ADHD | - | not supported by research | #1 |
- | no change | disrupted sleep | children with hyperactivity or inattention | - | unclear | #2 |
- | increase | bedtime resistance | parents of children with ADHD | - | consistently report more | #3 |
- | no change | sleep is subsequently disrupted | children with ADHD | - | no objective evidence | #4 |
Treatment of ADHD with stimulants | decrease | sleep | children with ADHD | - | may disrupt | #5 |
- | decrease | sleep | patients with comorbid sleep or psychiatric disorders | - | consistently show that they disrupt | #6 |
Melatonin | decrease | sleep problems | children with ADHD | - | is an effective treatment | #7 |
Basic assumptions about ADHD in children and sleep are not supported by research. It is unclear that children with hyperactivity or inattention have disrupted sleep. Parents of children with ADHD consistently report more bedtime resistance, but there is no objective evidence that sleep is subsequently disrupted. Treatment of ADHD with stimulants may disrupt sleep. Studies of comorbid sleep or psychiatric disorders consistently show that they disrupt sleep. Melatonin is an effective treatment of sleep problems in children with ADHD. Before any child is placed on stimulants, the pediatrician or other health care professional should insure that the child is obtaining adequate sleep.