Acute impact of immediate release methylphenidate administered three times a day on sleep in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of immediate release Ritalin, given three times a day, on sleep quality and quantity in medication-naïve, newly diagnosed children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
Children (aged 6-12) rigorously diagnosed with ADHD (n = 21) underwent multiple measurement assessments (i.e., actigraphy, sleep diary, and questionnaires) during a 1-week baseline and then during a 3-week blinded randomized medication trial.


RESULTS
Although the medication was effective in reducing ADHD symptoms, analyses of actigraphy and sleep diary data found statistically and clinically significant changes in the children's total sleep time and sleep onset latency in the medication compared to the no medication conditions. No effects on sleep were found based on the sleep questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians and parents are encouraged to closely monitor children's sleep when treating ADHD with stimulant medication.
Department of Psychology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H4J1. penny.corkum@dal.ca
Penny
P
Corkum
Rachel
R
Panton
Sarah
S
Ironside
Marilyn
M
Macpherson
Tracey
T
Williams
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001682:Biological Availability; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017286:Polysomnography; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate