title: Actigraphic Sleep Pattern of Preschoolers With ADHD.
abstract: Objective:To assess the features of sleep in preschoolers with ADHD by means of questionnaire and actigraphy.Method:Twenty-five ADHD and 21 age-matched typically developing (TD) preschool children underwent the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for ages 1½ to 5 and Pre-School-Age Psychiatric Assessment interview. Sleep was assessed by means of a modified Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children and wrist actigraphy for at least 5 days.Results:Children with ADHD, compared with TD, showed higher scores in CBCL Withdrawal (58.83 vs. 51.15,p< .0001), Attention Problems (69.88 vs. 51.54,p< .0001), and Aggressive Behavior (59.46 vs. 51.08,p< .0001) dimensions; they also showed increased actigraphic nocturnal activity (activity index 31.57 vs. 25.74,p< .05); and night-to-night variability for sleep minutes (56.44 vs. 32.79,p< .01), mean wake episodes (1.34 vs. 0.98,p< .05), mean activity (2.64 vs. 1.71,p< .05), and activity index (5.15 vs. 3.77,p< .05).Conclusion:This pilot study in preschoolers with ADHD showed increased motor activity during sleep and night-to-night variability for sleep duration and motor activity.
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Melegari
authors.affiliation: Centro Ricerca e Cura Balbuzie e disturbi della voce e del linguaggio, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vittori
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mallia
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Devoto
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lucidi
authors.affiliation: Oasi Institute (IRCCS), Troina, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Oliviero
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bruni
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012890:Sleep; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: ADHD; actigraphy; preschool children; sleep