Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR
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J Intellect Disabil Res · Jan 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialMelatonin decreases daytime challenging behaviour in persons with intellectual disability and chronic insomnia.
Persons with intellectual disability (ID) and sleep problems exhibit more daytime challenging behaviours than persons with ID without sleep problems. Several anecdotal reports suggest that melatonin is not only effective in the treatment of insomnia, but also decreases daytime challenging behaviour. However, the effect of melatonin treatment on daytime challenging behaviour in persons with ID has not been investigated in a randomised controlled trial. ⋯ Melatonin treatment in persons with ID and chronic insomnia decreases daytime challenging behaviour, probably by improving sleep maintenance or by improving circadian melatonin rhythmicity.