Sleep IntervEntion as Symptom Treatment for ADHD

Up to 72% of adolescents with ADHD portray sleep problems. The most common sleep difficulties in adolescents with ADHD are initial insomnia, nocturnal awakenings, non-restorative or restless sleep. These difficulties seem to be causally related to increased ADHD symptom impairment, oppositional and depressive symptomatology, and functional impairments in daily life, resulting in a vicious circle of sleep problems and impairment. Thus, reducing sleep problems is an important intervention target. However, to date there is no evidence-based cognitive behavioral sleep treatment available. Sleep-focused treatments need adaptation towards this developmental phase/disorder for effectiveness, as ADHD and sleep problems are bi-directional. Therefore, a blended treatment targeting the core deficits integrating motivational interviewing, planning skills and sleep interventions is needed. Thus, the aim of this project is testing the short and 3-4 months follow-up effectiveness of the blended cognitive behavioral sleep intervention in adolescents with ADHD.