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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.

Jonsdottir S, Bouma A, Sergeant JA, Scherder EJ

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

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.

Published 11 November 2004 in Neurorehabil Neural Repair, 18(4): 212-21.
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