scholarly journals Effects of transdiagnostic group treatment for sleep disturbances in adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders and autistic spectrum disorder: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miho Ishii ◽  
Wakako Ito ◽  
Yuki Karube ◽  
Yuko Ogawa ◽  
Anna Tagawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Group Treatment ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Post Intervention

AbstractAlthough adult patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have sleep problems, few studies have verified the effect of a psychological approach specific to sleep–wake rhythms on these sleep disturbances. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to develop a trans-diagnostic approach with sleep scheduling and regularity of sleep duration as core modules, and to examine the effect of the intervention in adult ADHD and/or ASD subjects with sleep disturbances. This was a within-group pilot study. Ten patients with adult ADHD and/or ASD with sleep disturbances (10 males, age: 27.4 ± 5.6 years) took part in a 90-min weekly group intervention for 5 weeks. All participants were assessed on scales for sleep complaints, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of ADHD and ASD before and after the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. The results showed that the intervention significantly improved sleep disturbances at post-intervention (p = 0.003, d = 1.30, 95% CI 0.31–2.28) and at the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.035, d = 0.41, 95% CI − 0.48 to 1.30). In addition, attention switching for ASD symptoms was significantly reduced post-intervention (p = 0.031, d = 1.16, 95% CI 0.19–2.13). This is the first pilot study of a trans-diagnostic group approach for adult ADHD and/or ASD with sleep disturbances. The intervention primarily led to an improvement of sleep disturbances, followed by improvement of disease-specific symptoms in adult subjects with ADHD and ASD.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Melatonin Treatment in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder—A Review of the Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 219
Author(s):  
Beata Rzepka-Migut ◽  
Justyna Paprocka
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Melatonin Treatment ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Wide Range

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with disturbed melatonin secretion profile and sleep problems. The growing incidence of ASD and ADHD inspires scientists to research the underlying causes of these conditions. The authors focused on two fundamental aspects, the first one being the presentation of the role of melatonin in ASD and ADHD and the second of the influence of melatonin treatment on sleep disorders. The authors present the use of melatonin both in the context of causal and symptomatic treatment and discuss melatonin supplementation: Dosage patterns, effectiveness, and safety. Sleep disorders may have a different clinical picture, so the assessment of exogenous melatonin efficacy should also refer to a specific group of symptoms. The review draws attention to the wide range of doses of melatonin used in supplementation and the need to introduce unified standards especially in the group of pediatric patients.

Evaluating the effects of a yoga-based program integrated with third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy components on self-regulation in children on the autism spectrum: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136236132097484
Author(s):  
Radhika Tanksale ◽  
Kate Sofronoff ◽  
Jeanie Sheffield ◽  
John Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Executive Control ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Yoga Group

Research using mind–body practices in autism is limited but suggests a trend for ruminative reduction and improved behavioral–emotional outcomes. Following random assignment ( N = 67), effects of a weekly six-session pilot yoga-based group program combined with third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy elements on self-regulation for children on the autism spectrum (aged 8–12 years) was assessed. The primary outcome was executive functions. Secondary outcomes were sleep, anxiety, and emotion awareness. After attrition, assessment results from participants in the intervention ( n = 31) and the waitlist conditions ( n = 30) completed at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-week follow-up were evaluated. For the intervention group, the between-group mean score differences suggest a decrease in parent-reported global executive difficulties from baseline to post-intervention (−2.61; 95% confidence interval −5.13 to −0.09, p  = 0.047, d = −0.39) and baseline to follow-up (−4.17; 95% confidence interval −6.72 to −1.62, p = 0.017, d = −0.59) with small-to-medium effect sizes. Small-to-medium effects were found for a few parent-reported children’s sleep issues, child-reported aspects of emotion awareness, and performance anxiety. Non-significant findings are discussed in this article. Preliminary findings suggest mixed results and should be interpreted cautiously. The yoga-informed program may complement existing treatments and will benefit from ongoing evaluation. Lay abstract Children on the autism spectrum may experience difficulties with the regulation of attention, thoughts, emotions, and behavior, understanding, and expressing their emotions appropriately, as well as anxiety, and sleep. In autism research, contemplative practices that work through both body and mind have shown tentatively promising results. However, there are limited studies on this topic, and the use of yoga to facilitate executive control has not been researched yet. The Incredible Explorers (6-week program), a yoga-informed intervention program for children (8–12 years), was developed to understand whether, for children on the autism spectrum, the training could improve the ability to self-regulate, reduce anxiety and sleep problems, and increase awareness of emotions. In our sample, 61 children with one of their parents completed the program. Half of the group received the intervention, and the other half had to wait until the yoga group completed their trial. The participants were asked to give their feedback immediately after program completion and at 6-week follow-up. Compared to the group that was waiting to receive the intervention, parents in the yoga group reported significant gains for their children in regulating their overall executive control immediately after the session and again at follow-up. The parents reported a reduction in some of the sleep problems post-treatment. Children indicated an improved ability to communicate their feelings and willingness to analyze their emotions post-intervention. However, the study had several shortcomings and given that this was the first trial of the program, the results need to be interpreted with caution. Further research is recommended.

Parent-Mediated Home Intervention for Delayed Sleep-Onset and Night Waking in a Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
pp. 153465012110414
Author(s):  
Anna Linnehan ◽  
Barbara Cannon ◽  
James K. Luiselli
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Baseline Phase ◽  
Night Waking

We report the case of a 10-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder who had difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep. Through home consultation, his parents were trained to implement a multicomponent sleep intervention that included (a) faded bedtime, (b) regimented pre-bedtime routines, and (c) elimination of positive social consequences contingent on sleep problems including unwanted co-sleeping. A critical element in the case was functional assessment of the conditions associated with poor sleeping and matching intervention to parent preferences. Compared to a baseline phase, intervention reduced night waking frequency and duration as well as the time required for the boy to fall asleep. Follow-up results one and 2 months post-intervention documented sustained improvement.

scholarly journals Sleep problems in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder: Sex differences and parental stress

2020 ◽  
Vol 291 ◽  
pp. 113099
Author(s):  
Elisa D'Agati ◽  
Roberta Abate ◽  
Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti ◽  
Carmen Napolitano ◽  
Valentina Postorino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

scholarly journals Effects of Supplementation With Antioxidant Agents on Sleep in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Zambrelli ◽  
Althea Lividini ◽  
Sofia Spadavecchia ◽  
Katherine Turner ◽  
Maria Paola Canevini
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Antioxidant Agents ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
The Impact

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition, whose etiology remains poorly understood in most cases. Several genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors have been implicated in ASD pathogenesis and numerous studies have provided evidences for increased levels of oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant capacity in patients with ASD. Recent clinical trials explored supplementation with antioxidant agents as a potential therapeutic strategy for ASD, investigating the impact of this treatment on behavioral symptoms and on most common comorbidities of the disease, including sleep disturbances. Among all medical conditions associated to ASD, sleep problems are highly prevalent and are supposed to be positively related to the severity of the disease. Moreover, studies on animal models support the hypothesis of a relationship between oxidative stress and sleep deprivation. The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of the literature on the effect of antioxidant treatment on sleep disturbances in patients with ASD. Twenty-one articles were included in final synthesis. Of them, 15 studies involved Melatonin, 1 Tryptophan and 5 focused on supplementation with other antioxidant agents (namely Coenzyme Q10, L-Carnosine, Luteolin and Quercetin). Despite the high prevalence of comorbid sleep troubles in ASD, there is a paucity of data on the efficacy of antioxidant agents in those patients. Further research is needed to better define the role of antioxidants agents as adjunctive therapy in the management sleep disorders in children and adolescents affected with ASD.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of Individually Delivered Secret Agent Society Social Skills Program for Children with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunxi Lynette Tan ◽  
Trevor G. Mazzucchelli ◽  
Renae Beaumont
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Social Competence ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
High Functioning ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Secret Agent

High-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders display social skill deficits that can have a debilitating impact on their daily lives. The Secret Agent Society (SAS) program has been shown to be effective in improving the social skills of these children when delivered in a group setting. This pilot study evaluated whether individually delivered SAS would yield similar outcomes. Three participants were recruited for the 9-week intervention. Measures of social competence were administered at four points: pretest 1, pretest 2, post-intervention, and 6-week follow-up. Participants showed significant improvement in half of the measures assessing social competence. On a third of these measures, two participants demonstrated improvements to within the range of their typically developing peers. Follow-up results suggested that improvements were maintained at 6 weeks’ post-intervention. Limitations of this study and directions for future research are discussed.

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