Study seeks sweet sleep relief for children with ADHD

Parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are hoping a University of Queensland trial could help their families get a decent night's sleep. Researchers are recruiting participants for the study into the effectiveness of the natural hormone melatonin for children with ADHD who are struggling at bedtime. UQ Centre for Clinical Research's Dr Jane Nikles said stimulant medication used to help ADHD symptoms could exacerbate sleep problems, with some parents reporting young children regularly still awake at midnight. "ADHD is a very complex disorder, and these children often have difficulty settling down in the evening," Dr Nikles said. "This can be complicated by medications used to treat ADHD, including stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexamphetamine. "We are investigating whether taking melatonin could make a difference for these children, because sleep is so important for healthy body and brain development." Researchers are seeking participants aged between six and 17, who have a diagnosis of ADHD, are being treated with stimulant medication and are experiencing sleep difficulties. General practitioners and paediatricians all over Australia can refer patients for the study, which involves an individual medication effectiveness test.