Enhancing the comprehensive management strategies for attention–deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in pediatric patients with concurrent sleep–disordered breathing: Integrating effective therapeutic approaches

Abstract

This paper investigates the general relevance of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sleep–disordered breathing (SDB) in pediatric patients, focusing on etiology, prevalence, clinical features, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment options while synthesizing the findings from the existing literature to provide a comprehensive and objective understanding. A systematic review was conducted to examine the association between ADHD and SDB in children, investigating the potential role of TCM in managing this comorbidity. A comprehensive search in multiple databases was conducted from inception to May 2024 using a predefined search strategy. For assessing the quality, we used the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist adapted for case–control studies and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool for before–after studies. Literature data were extracted and analyzed through a critical appraisal of the included studies. Seven studies were selected, with exclusion criteria defined to ensure methodological quality. While included studies demonstrated clarity and relevance in defining eligibility criteria, heterogeneity was observed in participant selection, outcome measures, safety assessment, and follow–up duration, indicating a need for more rigorous research designs in future studies. This report highlights the association between SDB and ADHD in children and underscores the significant potential of integrated treatment modalities for this comorbidity. Careful implementation and validation are essential to establish their role in clinical practice.