The use of melatonin to treat sleep disorder in adults with intellectual disabilities in community settings -- the evaluation of three cases using actigraphy.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	The use of melatonin to treat sleep disorder in adults with intellectual disabilities in community settings -- the evaluation of three cases using actigraphy.
Authors:	Dodd A (AUTHOR), Hare DJ (AUTHOR), Arshad P (AUTHOR)
Source:	Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. Jun2008, Vol. 52 Issue 6, p547-553. 7p.
Abstract:	Background Sleep disorders are known to be very prevalent in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) but to date there has been limited objective assessment of either sleep disorders or of interventions such as the use of melatonin. Methodology A protocol-driven assessment and intervention procedure was followed with three people with moderate to severe ID identified as having a possible sleep disorder. Actigraphic assessment was used to determine the nature of the sleep disorder, after which sleep hygiene advice and then individual treatment with melatonin were provided, following which further actigraphic assessment was carried out. Behavioural disturbance was formally assessed before and after the intervention phase. Results Following treatment with melatonin, changes in circadian rhythm were noted, together with improvements in challenging behaviour, but no significant effects were noted with regard to either quantity or quality of sleep. Conclusions A standardised procedure for assessment and treatment of sleep disorders in people with ID was established. Although no apparent effects on sleep quantity or quality were noted, this may reflect factors inherent in the sample, rather than the relative efficacy of melatonin treatment per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Journal of Intellectual Disability Research is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Background Sleep disorders are known to be very prevalent in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) but to date there has been limited objective assessment of either sleep disorders or of interventions such as the use of melatonin. Methodology A protocol-driven assessment and intervention procedure was followed with three people with moderate to severe ID identified as having a possible sleep disorder. Actigraphic assessment was used to determine the nature of the sleep disorder, after which sleep hygiene advice and then individual treatment with melatonin were provided, following which further actigraphic assessment was carried out. Behavioural disturbance was formally assessed before and after the intervention phase. Results Following treatment with melatonin, changes in circadian rhythm were noted, together with improvements in challenging behaviour, but no significant effects were noted with regard to either quantity or quality of sleep. Conclusions A standardised procedure for assessment and treatment of sleep disorders in people with ID was established. Although no apparent effects on sleep quantity or quality were noted, this may reflect factors inherent in the sample, rather than the relative efficacy of melatonin treatment per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	09642633
DOI:	10.1111/j.1365-2788.2008.01063.x