Nocturnal enuresis and optimal stimulation theory

Abstract

The present study examined the hypotheses that nocturnal enuretics would exhibit a similar general impulsive style and cortical underarousal as has been demonstrated with extraverts and children with ADHD. Thirty-two boys (16 nocturnal enuretics and 16 nonenuretics) served as subjects. They completed tasks measuring impulsivity, field-dependence, planning ability, and cortical inhibition under either a quiet or an arousal condition. One parent concurrently completed various behaviour checklists. The results showed that nocturnal enuretics performed in an impulsive and field-dependent manner in the quiet condition, thus supporting the general impulsive style hypothesis. They also tended to improve their performance in the arousal condition, thus supporting the cortical underarousal hypothesis. Differences were found on the behaviour checklists with nocturnal enuretics rated as more difficult to awaken and nonenuretics rated as more hyperactive. Treatment implications based on these results were discussed as well as potential future research directions.