Effects of stimulant treatment on sleep in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Examining the associations between attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sleep problems, and other mental health conditions in adolescents

“…The absence of associations between ADHD status and objectively measured sleep is partially consistent with studies such as Becker et al (2019), who found small differences between ADHD and non‐ADHD groups only on objectively measured time in bed. Consistent with our results, Sanabra et al (2021) did not find an association between objectively measured sleep and ADHD status in a sample of children and adolescents. A systematic review (Lunsford‐Avery et al, 2016) concluded that there was little evidence for a relationship between objective sleep variables and ADHD status, although many of the studies were hampered by methodological limitations.…”

“…Additionally, key actigraphy variables such as sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset (WASO) did not differ between ADHD and non‐ADHD groups. Similar findings were reported by Sanabra et al (2021), who found no differences between adolescents with and without ADHD on actigraphy variables. Prehn‐Kristensen et al (2011), who measured sleep using PSG with a small sample ( N = 24), found that adolescents with ADHD had longer sleep onset latency and lower sleep efficiency than adolescents without ADHD, but interestingly, had longer rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.…”

“…Additionally, key actigraphy variables such as sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset (WASO) did not differ between ADHD and non-ADHD groups. Similar findings were reported by Sanabra et al (2021), who found no differences between adolescents with and without ADHD on actigraphy variables. Prehn-Kristensen et al…”

“…This is similar to Becker et al (2019), who found evidence for an association between ADHD and parent-reported sleep. Sanabra et al (2021) (Carskadon, 2011), parents might be less aware of their child's sleeping patterns. There is also the possibility of a 'negative halo effect' (Alacha & Lefler, 2021), whereby a parent could observe a challenging behaviour in the child, which then influences their ratings in other areas.…”

“…Studies using subjective measures of sleep have generally found that adolescents with ADHD have poorer sleep than their peers without ADHD (Lunsford‐Avery et al, 2016). In terms of recent studies in the area, Sanabra et al (2021) found that adolescents with ADHD had greater sleep onset latency (i.e., trouble getting to sleep) and poorer sleep efficiency than adolescents without ADHD based on self‐reported measures. Similar results were reported by Becker et al (2019), who found that adolescents with ADHD were more likely to report obtaining insufficient sleep and reported more subjective sleep issues than adolescents without ADHD.…”