[Electroencephalographic biofeedback for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children]
Jing-Hong Hou1, Yu Zhang, Cheng Xu
1Department of Pediatrics, Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, China. hongj65@126.com
Insights
Electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback therapy significantly reduced the theta/beta wave ratio in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This treatment improved attention and reduced hyperactivity, proving effective for childhood ADHD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Behavioral Science
Context:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Children with ADHD exhibit altered brainwave patterns, specifically increased theta and decreased beta activity during cognitive tasks.
- The theta/beta wave ratio is a key neurophysiological marker associated with ADHD symptoms.
Purpose:
- To investigate the efficacy of electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback therapy in treating ADHD in children.
- To assess the impact of EEG biofeedback on the brain's theta/beta wave ratio.
- To evaluate changes in cognitive performance using the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA-CPT).
Summary:
- EEG biofeedback therapy was administered to 30 children diagnosed with ADHD.
- Post-therapy measurements showed a significant reduction in the mean theta/beta wave ratio (from 12.32 to 6.54, p<0.01).
- The IVA-CPT revealed significant improvements in attention and reaction control quotients after treatment (p<0.01).
Impact:
- EEG biofeedback therapy effectively normalizes the theta/beta wave ratio in children with ADHD.
- The therapy leads to significant reductions in symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity.
- This study supports EEG biofeedback as a viable therapeutic option for managing childhood ADHD.
Objective:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioral disorder in children. When the children fulfill cognition tasks, brain theta wave activity increases and beta wave activity weakens. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback therapy for ADHD in children by assessing the changes of the ratio of brain theta to beta waves and the integrated visual and auditory continuous performance test (IVA-CPT).
Methods:
EEG biofeedback therapy was performed in 30 children with ADHD. The ratio of brain theta to beta waves was measured before and after therapy. IVA-CPT was used to assess the effectiveness of biofeedback therapy.
Results:
After two courses of treatment, the mean ratio of brain theta to beta waves in the 30 children with ADHD was significantly reduced from 12.32+/-4.35 (before treatment) to 6.54+/-1.27 (p<0.01). IVA-CPT demonstrated that the values of six indexes measured, including integrate reaction control quotient, integrate attention quotient, auditory and visual reaction control quotients, auditory and visual attention control quotients, were significantly increased after biofeedback therapy (p<0.01).
Conclusions:
EEG biofeedback can reduce the ratio of brain theta to beta waves and lead to significant decreases in inattention and hyperactivity and it is effective for treatment of ADHD in children.
