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Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Cognition, Behavior, and the Rest-Activity Rhythm in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined Type

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Landspitali-University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland, soljonsd{at}landspitali.is

Anke Bouma

Department of Clinical and Developmental Psychology, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

Joseph A. Sergeant

Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Erik J.A. Scherder

Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on cognition, behavior, and the rest-activity rhythm in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined type (ADHD-CT). Methods. Twenty-two children diagnosed with ADHD-CT received TENS treatment during 6 weeks, 2 times 30 min a day. Neuropsychological tests were administered to assess cognition, parent/teacher behavioral rating scales were used to measure behavior, and actigraphy was used to assess the rest-activity rhythm. Results. TENS appeared to have a moderate beneficial influence on cognitive functions that load particularly on executive function. There was also improvement in behavior as measured by parent/teacher behavioral rating scales. Moreover, motor restlessness during sleep and motor activity during the day decreased by TENS. Conclusions. The effects of TENS in children with ADHD are modest but encouraging and warrant further research.

Key Words: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) • Actigraphy • Rest-activity rhythm • Children

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, Vol. 18, No. 4, 212-221 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1545968304270759


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