Objective: Psychostimulants are widely used pharmacotherapeutic tools in the treatment process of severe or non-responsive childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Despite their efficacy, stimulants can influence the quality and quantity of sleep as a side effect, but this issue remains insufficiently clarified in the existing literature, with partly contradictory findings. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of research results based on polysomnography, shedding light on the current state of knowledge in this area. This insight can be valuable for guiding the design of future research and optimizing therapeutic plans.
Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed and analyzed studies that assessed the quality of sleep using polysomnography during stimulant treatment. As a result of our search, we identified 331 potential publications, which were independently screened, and a total of 13 relevant articles were analyzed in detail.
Results: Based on the results of the examined studies, there were a total of 5 instances of sleep-facilitating effects reported in the context of stimulant treatments, while 5 studies indicated sleep-inhibiting effects, and in three cases, no effects were observed.
Conclusions: Although it is important to consider the impact of medication on sleep in the treatment of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, further research is required to clarify this issue. This will enable the customization of therapeutic recommendations and plans, aligning with the principles of precision medicine, taking into account the varying research designs and sample sizes.
Keywords: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; electroencephalography; sleep disorder; sleep pattern; stimulants systematic review..