Does Neurofeedback Help Reduce Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Abstract

Introduction: Neurofeedback is an alternative treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but its efficacy is unknown. This narrative review examines rigorous studies conducted utilizing neurofeedback as a treatment for ADHD.Methods: Studies were located by searching the Web of Science and PsycINFO databases with the keywords ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder AND neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback or electroencephalogram biofeedback. Located studies were chosen for initial review if they met the following criteria: (a) randomized controlled trial or quasi-experiment, (b) ADHD diagnosis based on DSM criteria, (c) published at any time prior to March 2010, (d) English language, and (e) published in a peer-reviewed journal. Participants included children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with ADHD.Results: Twelve articles reporting 9 different studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. All 9 studies produced results that indicated significant improvements on either tests scores or behavioral conduct for individuals who were treated with neurofeedback for ADHD. Alternative treatments also demonstrated effectiveness.Conclusion: Neurofeedback may be an effective treatment for ADHD. Future research is needed with larger sample sizes, comparing the efficacy of neurofeedback with the efficacy of other ADHD treatments and comparing different neurofeedback protocols.

In-School Neurofeedback Training for ADHD: Sustained Improvements From a Randomized Control Trial

“…10 Neurofeedback therefore trains users to monitor and change their brainwave patterns, leading to behavioral changes. 11 Some studies have found that neurofeedback can decrease symptoms of ADHD, [12][13][14][15][16][17] including improved attention, 18 behavior, 19 and cognitive improvements 20 up to 6 months postintervention as well as at 2 years postintervention. 21 However, the evidence for its sustainability remains unclear, because there are limited studies examining follow-up data, and those that do have small sample sizes or no control condition.…”

Determination of the Effects of Neurofeedback Training in the Neuropsychological Rehabilitation in Inattentive and Combined Subtypes of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…More specifically, participant children 7 to 12 years of age, who were diagnosed with ADHD, either IA or C subtypes, and who underwent neurofeedback training, showed improved performance on all IVA sub-scales, with exception of the readiness subscale (Table 1 and Table 3). An extensive number of research studies (Arns et al, 2009;Fox et al, 2005;Gani et al, 2009;Gevensebelen et al, 2009;Lofthouse et al, 2010;Monstra et al, 2005;Sherlin et al, 2010;Williams, 2010) support the effectiveness of neurofeedback training on decreasing the clinical symptoms associated with ADHD. In particular, the literature review performed by Sherlin and colleagues (2010) provide evidence of empirical findings supporting the effects of neurofeedback interventions in decreasing ADHD symptoms in all subtypes.…”

“…Review of the literature also indicates that most researches (e.g., Arns et al, 2009;Fox et al, 2005;Gani et al, 2009;Gevensebelen et al, 2009;Lofthouse et al, 2010;Monstra et al, 2005;Sherlin et al, 2010;Williams, 2010) have focused on the combined subtype of ADHD, and in follow-up assessments regarding the effectiveness of neurofeedback, on the decline of clinical symptoms; however, these studies have not evaluated the role of neurofeedback in the improvement of cognitive deficits taking into account different subtypes. Hence, given the extreme importance of cognitive deficits in the perseveration and severity of ADHD symptoms (e.g., Butcher et al, 2000;Fischer, Barkley, Smallish, & Fletcher,2005), and given the effectiveness of neurofeedback training in ADHD patients' neuropsychological rehabilitation (e.g., Arns et al, 2009;Fox et al, 2005;Gani et al, 2009;Gevensebelen et al, 2009;Lofthouse et al, 2010;Monastra et al, 2005;Sherlin et al, 2010;Williams, 2010), the aim of the present research was to determine the effectiveness of neurofeedback training in decreasing cognitive deficits considering C and IA subtypes.…”

“…In general, most studies have shown that neurofeedback training is efficient in reducing symptoms of all three subtypes of ADHD; although, some studies (e.g., Carmody, Radvansik, Wadhwani, Sabo, & Vergara, 2002;Monstra et al, 2005) have shown that the effect of neurofeedback is more efficient in patients with attention deficiency, rather than in those with hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms, to such an extent that neurofeedback has been considered to be a systematic training of attention (Butinik, 2005). In fact, many research studies (Arns et al, 2009;Fox et al, 2005;Gani et al, 2009;Gevensebelen et al, 2009;Lofthouse et al, 2010;Monstra et al, 2005;Sherlin et al, 2010;Williams, 2010) have confirmed the effectiveness of neurofeedback in improving attention and cognitive skills. Sherlin et al (2010), in a position paper about the effectiveness of neurofeedback on reducing the ADHD symptoms, concluded that neurofeedback training is most efficient in reducing attention and impulsivity symptoms although less so regarding hyperactivity symptoms.…”

Review of Rationale for Neurofeedback Application in Adolescent Substance Abusers with Comorbid Disruptive Behavioral Disorders

“…Neurofeedback of ADHD in children and adolescents has recently been reviewed extensively (Arns et al, 2009;Lubar, 2003;Monastra, 2003;Sherlin, Arns, Lubar, & Sokhadze, 2010;J. M. Williams, 2010).…”