Our clinician-researchers sent children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) back to bed in hopes that this may help with their symptoms. For three weeks, from June 27 to July 15, these children participated in a drug free, fun-filled, sleep camp. The ultimate goal of this research project is to see if simply sleeping more may be an inexpensive and easy way to help symptoms of ADHD. This innovative project was instigated by our Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division’s Severe Disruptive Behavior Disorders Program.

“Many previous studies have shown that sleep problems underlie symptoms of ADHD,” says child psychologist and investigator Reut Gruber, PhD. “More recent findings suggest that treatment of these sleep problems may improve cognitive functioning and regulation of behavior. Our project will further test this hypothesis, and we hope to show that more sleep will result in more attentive children with fewer behavioral problems.”

For three weeks, the children, aged seven to eleven, did not take any medication. During the first week, they maintained their regular at-home sleep cycle. During weeks two and three, their sleep time was either increased or decreased by an hour. With the use of a small “sleep watch”, their sleep at home was monitored. During the day, the children participated in typical camp activities, such as sports and arts and crafts, while their attention, sleepiness and behavior were assessed.

“We hope that this preliminary study will show a therapeutic benefit to sleep,” says Medical Chief Natalie Grizenko, MD. “If our findings confirm the value of sleep extension for ameliorating ADHD, daily doses of “sleep” might supplement medication and behavioral approaches to ADHD.”

“The next step will be to conduct a larger study, linking ADHD genetics with the effects of sleep,” says researcher Ridha Joober, MD, PhD.

Symptoms include inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. If left untreated, individuals with ADHD may have difficulties maintaining relationships with peers and family members, and performing well at school or work. Treatment usually involves stimulant medication, such as Ritalin.
 

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Florence Meney
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