One Simple Tip to Improve Inhibitory Control in ADHD
Do you work with or parent a child with ADHD? Inhibitory control allows children to control their impulses and responses to stimuli. Inhibition is part of executive function skills and it can be difficult for children with ADHD. It is actually a primary cognitive deficit in ADHD.
A recent study indicated that changing sleep patterns can help improve inhibition in children with ADHD.
Methodology of the Study
Journal of Attention Disorders published a study to determine whether sleep extension improves inhibitory control, The subjects included 11 children with ADHD and 15 children without ADHD. Each child participated in a within-subject sleep extension intervention that targeted nocturnal sleep duration using actigraphy and polysomnography to assess sleep. To measure inhibition, a Go/No-Go task was used.
Results of the Study on Inhibition and Sleep
Following data analysis the researchers determined the following:
- the children without ADHD exhibited a significant main effect of time, with morning inhibitory control being 10% greater than evening inhibitory control.
- inhibition did not differ between the baseline and extension conditions in children without ADHD.
- the children with ADHD, although morning inhibitory control did not differ from evening inhibition, sleep extension improved inhibitory control by 13% overall.
The researchers concluded that a sleep extension intervention improves inhibitory control in children with ADHD.
Reference: Cremone-Caira, A., Root, H., Harvey, E. A., McDermott, J. M., & Spencer, R. M. (2019). Effects of Sleep Extension on Inhibitory Control in Children With ADHD: A Pilot Study. Journal of attention disorders, 1087054719851575.
Additional Resources for Sleep Interventions
Autism Sleeps™ is an easy-to-read manual to help people with sensory processing difficulties, Autism Spectrum Disorders or a restless mind, achieve an overall healthy sleep experience. It serves as a thorough resource for sleep sensory strategies and suggestions for preparing the “sleep environment”. Sample bedtime and wake-up routines are provided as templates, especially to guide parents of children with sleep difficulties. Find out more information.
