Understanding Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Children with ADHD

This study aims to better understand the connection between sleep patterns (circadian rhythm) and ADHD in children aged 6 to 9. Researchers will look at how sleep affects a child's mental health and thinking abilities. You or your child would participate in three study visits, including one for a melatonin assessment. Your child would also wear a device similar to a wristwatch for 7 nights, and you would complete daily diaries about their sleep. They would also wear a skin temperature sensor and use a mattress sensor. To join, children must have an ADHD diagnosis, good intellectual functioning, and be generally healthy. If your child takes melatonin, you would need to stop its use during the study. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 250 participants.

Study design
This is an observational study, meaning it observes participants without providing any specific interventions. It plans to enroll 250 children aged 6 to 9.
What's involved
Participants will attend three study visits, complete questionnaires, and have their child wear a wrist device, skin temperature sensor, and use a mattress sensor for 7 nights. Parents will also complete electronic daily diaries.
Compensation
Participants will be compensated for their time.
Follow-up
The primary endpoints, circadian rhythm and dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), are measured over 7 nights and on day 8, respectively. Longer-term follow-up is not specified.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06971640

Advancing Identification of Circadian Delay in ADHD Youth: Associations With Clinical Heterogeneity and Cognition

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 6–9Observational
Duke University
~250 participants
Updated 2026-05-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Circadian Rhythm (Sleep Timing)
Measured over Nightly for 7 nights (at-home assessment)
+1 more outcome measured
ADHD - Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity
ADHD
1 sites across 1 states
North Carolina1
  • Jessica Lunsford-Avery, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Duke University

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  • Circadian Rhythm (Sleep Timing)Nightly for 7 nights (at-home assessment)

    Wearable sensor data collection includes 3 sensors and supporting materials. The GreenTEG Core sensor will measure changes in core body temperature (CBT) beginning each evening and continuing through the night until morning waking. The Withings Mat will index times in/out of bed and related sleep metrics. The Garmin Vivosmart 5 will continuously measure movement and heart rate.

  • DLMO - Dim Light Melatonin OnsetDay 8 (second in-person study visit)

    Salivary melatonin will be collected during an in-lab assessment, occurring on Friday night following the home assessment. Eleven saliva samples (\~2ml) will be collected in a darkened environment every 30 min for a period beginning 4 hours before the child's average weeknight bedtime and extending to 1 hour after their average weeknight bedtime as verified by the previous week's sleep diary. The time at which salivary melatonin concentrations exceed 4 pg/mL will be used for determining DLMO. Circadian alignment will be measured via phase angle calculation, or the duration of time between DLMO and average bedtime as recorded by (1) sleep diary and (2) average sleep onset (actigraphy).