Around 70% of all children with ADHD suffer from sleeping disturbances. A Danish research project concludes, that the Protac Ball Blanket® can children with ADHD to normalise their sleeping pattern and fall asleep more quickly and sleep with less awakenings.
The positive effect of the Protac Ball Blanket® has been scientifically proven twice by Danish child psychiatrists. The purpose of the research projects was to see if the blanket has an effect on the children’s sleep.
Several of the findings are positively significant, says Allan Hvolby, Child Psychiatrist and leading author of both research projects in 2010 and 2020.
- Recommended by professionals
- Improved daily level of functioning
- Behavioural symptoms reduced by 50%
- The children used 40% less time to fall asleep
- Improved concentration in school
- Nightly awakenings fell by 16%
- Improved quality of life
The first project from 2010 showed that the children with ADHD shortened the time it takes them to fall asleep by 40%. In that way, they spent the same time falling asleep as the healthy control group. The 2020-project confirms these results and also shows that the good sleep improves the daily quality of life and concentration in school.
Both projects show us a remarkable improvement when it comes to hyperactivity and inattention. In 2010 of 10% and in 2020 of 20%. This difference can be explained by the fact that the second project lasted twice as long as the first one and the effect of the good sleep has had more time to strengthen the children.
Less hyperactivity and inattention
For many children with ADHD it is difficult to concentrate in school. Former research projects have shown a clear relation between a poor sleeping pattern and learning disabilities. This is why the two typical ADHD-symptoms, hyperactivity and inattention, have been given a special focus in this project.
During the project, the childrens’ teachers notice that the children are remarkably more concentrated during school and that behavioural symptoms are halved.
Improved daily functioning and quality of life
Both parents and teachers have evaluated the children by using a scientific testing model during the project. The parents also observed noticeable improvements during the projects. Besides, the good sleep, they also noticed a reduction of inattention of 20%. It is also remarkable that the daily level of functioning improved with 30%. This is of huge importance for the quality of life for the entire family and for the development of the child.
”A good night’s sleep gives the children more energy during the day ”, says Child Psychiatrist Allan Hvolby
More information about the research project:
Author, Allan Hvolby, Child psychiatrist. The article is published in Journal of Sleep Medicine & Disorders in 2020
Titel: The Application of Ball Blankets in the Treatment of Sleeping Difficulties in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Effect on Quality of Life and Daily Functioning.
