1*Ph.D. Scholar, Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Assam Down Town University; Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya
2Head of the Department, Department of Family Medicine, Down Town Hospital
3Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, The Royal Global University
4Lecturer, SSUHS, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital
5Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Sharda School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Pin Code-201310
6Assistant Professor, School of Design, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 203201, India
7Assistant Professor, School of Physiotherapy, RK University, Bhavnagar Highway, Kasturbadham, Rajkot - 360020, Gujarat, India.
8Assistant Professor, DSGPI, Maharashtra University Of Health Sciences, Nashik 422004
Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children's attention, behavior, and everyday functioning. Recent research indicates that lifestyle elements like screen time, sleep quality, and physical activity play a crucial role in how ADHD symptoms manifest. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of studies, especially in Indian settings, that have concurrently analyzed these interconnected factors within one comprehensive framework.
Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out involving 200 children aged between 5 and 12 years, comprising 100 diagnosed with ADHD and 100 typically developing controls. Stratified random sampling was implemented across various schools and clinics. The instruments utilized included the ADHD Rating Scale-IV, parent-reported daily screen time diaries, the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), and standardized assessments of physical activity. Pearson's correlation analysis was employed to investigate the relationships between screen time, sleep disturbances, physical activity, and the severity of ADHD symptoms.
Result: Daily screen time exhibited a moderate positive correlation with PSQ sleep scores (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), suggesting that greater screen exposure is linked to diminished sleep quality. In a similar vein, screen time also displayed a moderate positive correlation with ADHD total scores (r = 0.44, p < 0.001), indicating increased symptom severity in children who engage in extended digital media use. Conversely, physical activity showed a moderate negative correlation with ADHD total scores (r = –0.32, p = 0.002), highlighting the positive impact of consistent physical activity in alleviating ADHD symptoms.
Conclusion: The results underscore the considerable impact of lifestyle habits on sleep quality and the severity of ADHD symptoms in children. High levels of screen time seem to worsen sleep issues and behavioral problems, while regular physical activity shows a beneficial effect on attention and behavior. This research highlights the necessity of implementing structured routines that combine decreased screen time with more physical activity to improve neurobehavioral health in children.
Keywords: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); duration of screen exposure; quality of sleep; levels of physical activity; Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire; behavior in children; cross-sectional research.
How to cite this article: Deka D, Borthakur S, Kakati T, Saikia A, Rana P, Khan N, Dabhi MN, Sarkar R. Effects of Screen Time on ADHD Symptoms in Children in Kamrup (Rural) district, Assam. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(1s): 1073-1083. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.1s.119
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None