Sleep Problems in Children with ADHD: Associations with Internalizing Symptoms and Physical Activity.
Xiao Liang, Mengping Zhao, Li Su and 7 others
PMID 39485594WHAT IT FOUND
Children with ADHD who reported poor sleep had more severe depression, anxiety, and stress, and spent less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than those with good sleep.
Meeting physical activity guidelines was linked to lower depression and anxiety scores.
Key findings
01Children with ADHD and poor sleep reported significantly higher scores for depression, anxiety, and stress than those with good sleep.
02Children with ADHD and poor sleep spent significantly less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and were less likely to meet activity guidelines than those with good sleep.
03Daytime dysfunction from poor sleep was a significant predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress, while meeting physical activity guidelines predicted lower depression and anxiety.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The cross-sectional design means causality cannot be determined; it is unclear if poor sleep causes internalizing symptoms, if internalizing symptoms cause poor sleep, or if physical inactivity is a cause or consequence. Sleep quality and internalizing symptoms were based on child self-report, which may be subject to reporting bias, although physical activity was objectively measured. The study did not include a healthy control group, so it is unclear how these associations compare to children without ADHD. The sample was recruited from a hospital in China, which may limit generalizability to other cultural or clinical contexts.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. No other conflicts of interest were declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that increasing physical activity will directly reduce depression and anxiety in children with ADHD. This study shows an association, not causation, and the cross-sectional design cannot rule out that children with fewer symptoms are simply more active.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →