An Intervention to Promote Sleep and Reduce ADHD Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of a sleep hygiene education module and prescriptive sleep routine for children ages 5 through 11 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS The 20-week pilot project used a pre-/posttest design to assess sleep and ADHD symptoms. The Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CHSQ) and Vanderbilt Assessment Scale-Parent Form survey were provided to assess sleep and ADHD behaviors of participants at baseline and 6 weeks after implementation of the sleep hygiene routine. Fifty-three children participated in the project. Of these, 23 scored 42 or greater on the CHSQ, indicating a sleep disorder, and received the intervention. RESULTS The CHSQ and Vanderbilt scores indicated a significant improvement in sleep quality and reduction in ADHD symptoms after implementation of the sleep hygiene routine (CHSQ: p < .001, d = .928; Vanderbilt Questions 1-9: p < .001, d = .473; Vanderbilt Questions 10-18: p = .004; d = .329). CONCLUSION A provider-instructed sleep hygiene routine in children with ADHD improves sleep quality and reduces ADHD symptoms.