Prediction Role of Working Memory and Sustained Attention in Sleep Quality of Children with Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep problems, working memory, and sustained attention of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

A correlation study has been used for this investigation. The statistical population of this study was all students who have been diagnosed with ADHD in the elementary school of the Department of Education in District 3 of Isfahan, who studied in the school year of 2017-2018. A questionnaire containing questions about Behavioral Rating Scale and Sleep Quality was provided to the parents of 200 students aged 7-11 years old. After removing unskilled questionnaires, based on the cut-off score, the Acne Scale of the Conner Questionnaire consisted the active memory of Beck and the Continuous Performance Test were performed in 65 students with ADHD.

The results have shown a negative and significant relationship between sleep problems and active memory of children with ADHD. However, there was no significant relationship between sleep problems and sustained attention.

The results suggest that sleeping problems can reduce the performance of active memory and affect the cognitive functions of children.