title: Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on cognition, behavior, and the rest-activity rhythm in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on cognition, behavior, and the rest-activity rhythm in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type (ADHD-CT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two children diagnosed with ADHD-CT received TENS treatment during 6 weeks, 2 times 30 min a day. Neuropsychological tests were administered to assess cognition, parent/teacher behavioral rating scales were used to measure behavior, and actigraphy was used to assess the rest-activity rhythm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TENS appeared to have a moderate beneficial influence on cognitive functions that load particularly on executive function. There was also improvement in behavior as measured by parent/teacher behavioral rating scales. Moreover, motor restlessness during sleep and motor activity during the day decreased by TENS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effects of TENS in children with ADHD are modest but encouraging and warrant further research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Landspitali-University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland. soljonsd@landspitali.is
authors.forename: Solveig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jonsdottir
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouma
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sergeant
authors.forename: Erik J A
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Scherder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D012146:Rest; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation