Subjective sleepiness and objective sleep propensity in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder referred for multiple sleep latency testing - Report - MDSpire

Subjective sleepiness and objective sleep propensity in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder referred for multiple sleep latency testing

  • By

  • Sunao Uchida

  • Takashi Maruo

  • Shunsuke Takagi

  • Genichi Sugihara

  • Hidehiko Takahashi

  • June 29, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Assessment of Sleepiness in Adults with ADHD

Overview

This study investigates the relationship between subjective sleepiness and objective sleep propensity in adults with ADHD compared to a clinical group with excessive daytime sleepiness. Findings indicate that while subjective sleepiness scores were similar, objective sleep propensity was different between the two groups.

Background

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common complaint among adults with ADHD, impacting their daily functioning. This study addresses a gap in the literature regarding how these two measures align in clinical populations referred for sleep evaluation.

Data Highlights

GroupMedian ESS ScoreMedian Mean Sleep Latency (s)MSLT Positivity (%)
ADHD14.0432.061.8
EDS-only13.0322.087.1

Key Findings

  • ESS scores were similar between ADHD and EDS-only groups (14.0 vs 13.0).
  • Mean sleep latency was significantly longer in the ADHD group (432.0 s) compared to the EDS-only group (322.0 s).
  • MSLT positivity was less frequent in the ADHD group (61.8%) than in the EDS-only group (87.1%).
  • Within the ADHD group, ESS scores did not correlate significantly with mean sleep latency.
  • A significant inverse correlation was found in the MSLT-positive EDS-only subgroup.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate that clinicians should be cautious when interpreting subjective sleepiness in adults with ADHD, as it may not reflect objective sleep propensity.

Conclusion

This study highlights the disconnect between subjective sleepiness and objective sleep propensity in adults with ADHD.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers | Subjective Sleepiness and Objective Sleep Propensity in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Referred for Multiple Sleep Latency Testing, 2026 -- Full Article
  2. Recommended protocols for the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test in adults: guidance from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine - PMC, 2021 -- Guidelines
  3. Intensive Care Medicine — Influence of Chronotype on Night Shift Fatigue, Sleepiness, and Psychomotor Performance in ICU Nurses
  4. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism — Exploring the Links Between Comprehensive Sleep Health, Glycemic Management, and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
  5. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Objective evaluation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication effects using a load-cell-embedded chair in a simulated classroom
  6. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — The influence of ADHD symptoms on insomnia severity in teenagers: exploring the mediating effects of emotional dysregulation, self-compassion, and experiential avoidance
  7. Recommended protocols for the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test in adults: guidance from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine - PMC
  8. Frontiers | Subjective Sleepiness and Objective Sleep Propensity in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Referred for Multiple Sleep Latency Testing
  9. Frontiers | Temporal patterns of sleep latency in central hypersomnia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a cluster analysis exploration using Multiple Sleep Latency Test
  10. Allowing ad libitum sleep during overnight polysomnography affects Multiple Sleep Latency Test results in patients being assessed for hypersomnolence - PubMed

Original Source(s)

Subjective sleepiness and objective sleep propensity in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder referred for multiple sleep latency testing

  • by Sunao Uchida, Takashi Maruo, Shunsuke Takagi, Genichi Sugihara, Hidehiko Takahashi

  • June 29, 2026

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