Ear acupressure improved sleep quality in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder more than a sham treatment, with benefits lasting one month.
In this clinical trial in Iran, children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were recruited through convenience sampling and randomly allocated to either ear acupressure or a sham treatment. The intervention involved placing Vaccaria seeds on selected ear points associated with relaxation, the nervous system, heart, and endocrine function for four weeks, whereas the sham group received adhesive patches without seeds or pressure. Caregivers completed a children’s sleep-habits questionnaire before treatment, immediately after treatment, and one month later, and outcomes were analysed using both assigned-group and completed-treatment approaches.
Sleep quality improved more strongly in the ear acupressure group than in the sham group after the intervention and at follow-up, indicating that the benefit persisted beyond the treatment period. Although sleep scores also improved over time in the sham group, the greater improvement among children receiving ear acupressure suggests that this low-intensity complementary therapy may help address sleep difficulties associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
