Additive effects of neurofeedback on the treatment of ADHD: A randomized controlled study
1Research Headquarter, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Neurofeedback (NF) may offer additive benefits for children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when combined with medication. This study found NF reduced theta waves but did not improve cognitive function beyond medication alone.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Child Psychology
- Clinical Psychiatry
Background:
- Current evidence suggests Neurofeedback (NF) is possibly efficacious for ADHD, necessitating further research.
- Medication is a primary treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
- Investigating additive therapeutic effects of NF alongside medication is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the potential additive effect of Neurofeedback (NF) when initiated after starting a medication trial for children with ADHD.
- To compare the efficacy of NF combined with medication versus medication alone in treating ADHD symptoms and cognitive functioning.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 36 children (6-12 years) diagnosed with ADHD.
- Participants were assigned to either an NF with medication group or a medication-only group.
- Intervention included 20 twice-weekly NF sessions for the NF group, with assessments of cognitive performance, ADHD ratings, and brainwave activity before and after treatment.
Main Results:
- A reduction in theta waves was observed in both hemispheres for participants in the NF condition.
- No significant additive treatment effect was found for symptom variables or overall intelligent functioning compared to medication alone.
- The study indicated potential positive effects of NF on brainwaves and ADHD symptomatology.
Conclusions:
- Neurofeedback may have additive effects on brainwave activity and ADHD symptoms when used with medication.
- Combined NF and medication treatment did not demonstrate superior effects on cognitive functioning compared to medication alone.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the role of NF as an adjunctive therapy for ADHD.
Abstract:
Neurofeedback (NF) has been identified as a "possibly efficacious" treatment in current evidence-based reviews; therefore, more research is needed to determine its effects. The current study examined the potential additive effect of NF for children diagnosed with ADHD beginning a medication trial first. Thirty-six children (6-12 years) with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of ADHD were randomly assigned to an NF with medication (NF condition) or a medication only condition. Children in the NF group attended 20 twice-weekly sessions. Outcome measures included individual cognitive performance scores (ADS, K-WISC-III), ADHD rating scores completed by their parents (ARS, CRS) and brainwave indices of left and right hemispheres before and after NF treatment. Significant additive treatment effect in any of the symptom variables was found and a reduction of theta waves in both the right and left hemispheres was recorded in NF condition participants. However our randomized controlled study could not demonstrate superior effects of combined NF on intelligent functioning compared to the medication treatment only. This study suggested any possible evidence of positive and additive treatment effects of NF on brainwaves and ADHD symptomatology.
