Alisha M Bruton1, Angela Senders2, Gabriella Tost1, Hayleigh Ast1, Lisa M Robinette3, Brenda Leung4, Irene E Hatsu3, L Eugene Arnold5, Jeanette M Johnstone1,6. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States. 2. Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States. 3. Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States. 4. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. 5. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States. 6. Helfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, United States.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Nearly 50% of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience emotional dysregulation or sensory over-responsiveness; this study examines their association. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis (n = 124) used data from the Micronutrients for ADHD in Youth (MADDY) Study, which enrolled children aged 6-12 with ADHD and emotional dysregulation. Sensory responsiveness was assessed using two subscales from the factor-analyzed Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire: Pain Sensitivity and Perceptual Sensitivity. Emotional dysregulation was assessed using the Emotional-Problems and Conduct-Problems subscales from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and a composite score from the Child & Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5. Multivariable linear regression measured the association of pain and perceptual sensitivity with the severity of emotional dysregulation. RESULTS: In adjusted models, pain sensitivity was positively associated with Emotional Problems (β = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.52, 1.41; p < 0.0001), Conduct Problems (β = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.44, 1.21; p = 0.0001), and CASI-5 composite (β = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.34; p < 0.0001). Perceptual sensitivity was positively associated with Emotional Problems (β = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.15, 1.35; p = 0.01) but not Conduct Problems (β = 0.27; 95% CI: -0.24, 0.77; p = 0.30) or CASI-5 composite (β = 0.12; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.24; p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Pain sensitivity was associated with the severity of emotional dysregulation in this ADHD sample. To better understand possible causal links, longitudinal studies are warranted.Implications for rehabilitationEmotional dysregulation and sensory over-responsiveness are both common in children with ADHD and contribute to added challenges in school and family life.Two types of sensory over-responsiveness, pain sensitivity and perceptual sensitivity, were associated with emotional dysregulation in children with ADHD in our study.Sensory over-responsiveness may be a modifiable treatment target.
PURPOSE: Nearly 50% of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience emotional dysregulation or sensory over-responsiveness; this study examines their association. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis (n = 124) used data from the Micronutrients for ADHD in Youth (MADDY) Study, which enrolled children aged 6-12 with ADHD and emotional dysregulation. Sensory responsiveness was assessed using two subscales from the factor-analyzed Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire: Pain Sensitivity and Perceptual Sensitivity. Emotional dysregulation was assessed using the Emotional-Problems and Conduct-Problems subscales from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and a composite score from the Child & Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5. Multivariable linear regression measured the association of pain and perceptual sensitivity with the severity of emotional dysregulation. RESULTS: In adjusted models, pain sensitivity was positively associated with Emotional Problems (β = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.52, 1.41; p < 0.0001), Conduct Problems (β = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.44, 1.21; p = 0.0001), and CASI-5 composite (β = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.34; p < 0.0001). Perceptual sensitivity was positively associated with Emotional Problems (β = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.15, 1.35; p = 0.01) but not Conduct Problems (β = 0.27; 95% CI: -0.24, 0.77; p = 0.30) or CASI-5 composite (β = 0.12; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.24; p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Pain sensitivity was associated with the severity of emotional dysregulation in this ADHD sample. To better understand possible causal links, longitudinal studies are warranted.Implications for rehabilitationEmotional dysregulation and sensory over-responsiveness are both common in children with ADHD and contribute to added challenges in school and family life.Two types of sensory over-responsiveness, pain sensitivity and perceptual sensitivity, were associated with emotional dysregulation in children with ADHD in our study.Sensory over-responsiveness may be a modifiable treatment target.
Authors: Jeanette M Johnstone; Brenda Leung; Barbara Gracious; Leanna Perez; Gabriella Tost; Andrew Savoy; Irene Hatsu; Andrew Hughes; Alisha Bruton; L Eugene Arnold Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Commun Date: 2019-10-26
Authors: Jeanette M Johnstone; Irene Hatsu; Gabriella Tost; Priya Srikanth; Leanna P Eiterman; Alisha M Bruton; Hayleigh K Ast; Lisa M Robinette; Madeline M Stern; Elizabeth G Millington; Barbara L Gracious; Andrew J Hughes; Brenda M Y Leung; L Eugene Arnold Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2021-07-22 Impact factor: 13.113