Old and new controversies in the alternative treatment of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become widespread in both referral and primary care populations. We review the purported mechanism of action and available evidence for selected CAM therapies for ADHD. Enduring controversies, such as elimination of artificial food additives, colors, and/or preservatives; the effect of sugar on behavior in children; and the use of EEG biofeedback, have been well studied but lack support as effective sole treatments for ADHD. The initial evidence for some emerging CAM therapies, such as essential fatty acid supplementation, yoga, massage, homeopathy, and green outdoor spaces, suggests potential benefits as part of an overall ADHD treatment plan. More rigorously designed studies are needed to evaluate their effectiveness as single therapy for ADHD.

Diffusion abnormalities in adolescents and young adults with a history of heavy cannabis use

“…Clinical neuroimaging of marijuana users to assess changes in neurovasculature, blood flow, and presence of infarct or other ischemic processes, were presented in a review by Rojas (2005). Structural and functional effects of marijuana use on the brain were recently published in a review by Quickfall and Crockford (2006), who reported inconsistent structural, but robust functional, brain abnormalities in HCUs.…”

An Education in Awareness: Self, Motivation, and Self-Regulated Learning in Contemplative Perspective

“…The core hypothesis behind these studies was that the sustained awareness and somatic activity that is characteristic of hatha yoga practice would produce relaxation and increased self-control and reduce the muscular tension and anxiety that tend to exacerbate ADHD symptoms. All three studies showed that children enjoyed hatha yoga and showed reduced symptoms, but study limitations suggest the need for further research (Rojas & Chan, 2005). Because impaired attention is a core symptom of anxiety, mindfulness meditation was tested as a means of enhancing the attentional processes of anxious children ages 7 and 8 (Semple, Reid, & Miller, 2005).…”

Nutritional and Environmental Approaches to Preventing and Treating Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Review

“…86 A review of 16 studies with ADHD children found that sugar challenges were associated with worsened symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity in 4 studies, little change in 11 studies, and improvement in ADHD symptoms in 1 study. 87 Diets free of food coloring, food preservatives, and natural salicyclates have been widely used to treat children with ADHD since they were introduced in the 1970s by Dr. Benjamin Feingold. 87 A meta-analysis of 15 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with ADHD reported that artificial colors such as tartrazine significantly increased ADHD symptoms (overall effect size of 0.283, 95% CI 0.079-0.488).…”

“…87 Diets free of food coloring, food preservatives, and natural salicyclates have been widely used to treat children with ADHD since they were introduced in the 1970s by Dr. Benjamin Feingold. 87 A meta-analysis of 15 double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in patients with ADHD reported that artificial colors such as tartrazine significantly increased ADHD symptoms (overall effect size of 0.283, 95% CI 0.079-0.488). 88 Of the 15 individual studies, 5 showed that food colors were associated with significantly increased ADHD, 8 showed that food colors were associated with nonsignificant increases in ADHD symptoms, and 2 showed that food colors were associated with nonsignificant decreases in ADHD symptoms.…”