Sleep Quality in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Sensory Modulation Difficulties (SMD)

Background: Sleep disorders have been reported in up to 85% of children with ADHD. 40%-60% of children with ADHD exhibit sensory modulation difficulties (SMD) in addition to the core symptoms of ADHD. Children with ADHD who exhibit sensory symptoms have been reported to experience more significant functional difficulties. This raised the question of whether SMD affect sleep characteristics. Aims: To evaluate whether SMD impact the sleep of children with ADHD. Methods: 41 children with ADHD and 39 controls (ages 8-11) were recruited and assessed, using the Conner's Parent Rating Scale–Revised: Short Form, the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and The Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Results: In the ADHD group, 78.1% of children lower quality of sleep, compared to 21.9% of children in the control group (χ2=16.84, p<0.001). A multivariable model revealed that children with ADHD and SMD had sleep scores that were lower than controls, whereas children with ADHD and no SMD were indistinguishable from controls. Use of stimulants, gender, mother’s education and age had no significant contribution. Conclusion: In this pilot study, we found that difficulties in modulation of sensory input may correlate with lower quality of sleep in children diagnosed with ADHD.