Children with ADHD Sleep Study

Dear Parents:

You are receiving this letter because you have expressed interest in participating in a pilot project to examine what if any relationships there are between parents’ sleep hygiene (daytime exercise, consistent bedtime, bedtime routine, caffeine consumption, use of electronic devices near bedtime), parent ADHD status, and child sleep hygiene. The study will also look at whether these factors affect a child’s sleep. This pilot study will include 40 families (mother, father and child) that include children between ages and 6-10 years who have ADHD. The first 40 families who meet study criteria will be enrolled.

The study will involve one visit to your child’s school or doctor’s office where a parent will complete 6 brief surveys and participate in a short educational session to learn how to operate an actigraphy watch. At that visit your child will take the actigraphy watch home and wear it for 7 days and nights. The device is similar to a wristwatch and measures movement and light. You will also receive a simple sleep diary on which you will record your child’s bedtime and wake time each day he/she is wearing the actigraphy watch. At the end of the 7 days, you will return the device and your child will receive a $5 gift card to a local restaurant. A parent will receive a $15 Target gift card.

If you believe this is something you would like to participate in, please email me at grayle1@uab.edu or call me at (615) 830-0741.

I thank you in advance for your time and consideration of this research. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding the study. I can be easily reached at (615) 830-0741.

Sincerely,

Laura Gray MSN, RN
PhD student, University of Alabama at Birmingham